Our Blessed Friends #5

“A MINISTRY OF JOY”

Thea Bowman

As she was wheeled into the hallway, she took a deep breath. Smiling up to heaven - or, to the ceiling that blocked her view - she thanked G’D for the ability to speak. Suddenly, a bishop strode through the door. Putting on a smile, she looked up at the bishop. “Thank you, Sister. You really moved us today,” the bishop said. More bishops began to stream through the door to offer the happy nun their thanks for her words. But who was this jolly nun, and what had she said?

Bertha Bowman was born in 1937 to Theon and Mary Bowman in Mississippi. Both were devoted Methodists. Bertha became attracted to Catholicism through the joyful religious sisters that lived in her town. Bertha’s parents allowed the nine-year-old to convert and enter a Catholic school. 

At fifteen, Bertha travelled to Wisconsin to become a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration - the order of sisters that first drew her to the faith. She continued her education at Viterbo University in Wisconsin and Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. Taking the name Sister Thea, she began to teach students of all ages, reminding them of the love G’D had for the people of every race. She was a brilliant teacher, using the arts to bring them deeper into their studies, as well as traditional African-American teaching strategies. 

Sister Thea’s “MINISTRY OF JOY” became more pronounced in the years preceding her death. She gave lectures, performances, and presentations to all kinds of people - including bishops!

Sister Thea’s soul flew to heaven on 30 March 1990, but the mark she left on the world can never be erased. Sister Thea’s holy, joyful display of cultural pride is a wonderful example we can all follow, most especially in our modern world.