Collection: Sr. Thea Bowman: Let Your Light Shine

The late Sr. Thea Bowman, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration from Canton, Miss., was nationally known for her work to advance the life of her fellow black Catholics in the church. She was 52 when she died of bone cancer on March 30, 1990, but her legacy as an educator, evangelist and gospel singer lives on.

I think the difference between me and some people is that I'm content to do my little bit. Sometimes people think they have to do big things in order to make change. But if each one would light a candle we'd have a tremendous light.

—Sr. Thea Bowman

I know that suffering gives us new perspectives and helps us to clarify our real value. I know that suffering has helped me to clarify my relationships... Perhaps suffering stops us in our tracks and forces us to confront what is real within ourselves and in our environment.

—Sr. Thea Bowman

I try to make sense of life. I try to keep myself open to people and to laughter and to love and to have faith.

—Sr. Thea Bowman