Archbishop Nelson Pérez presided during a June 26 Mass in honor of Venerable Augustus Tolton, the first recognized African-American priest, at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.

(Read our full story on the June 26 Mass in honor of Venerable Augustus Tolton.)

Through his courage, perseverance and charity, Tolton modeled a Christ-like response to “hurt, rejection and injustice,” providing “a way we can do so ourselves,” said the archbishop.