Br. Mickey McGrath's art celebrates sainthood candidate Sister Thea Bowman

For 25 years, through art and music celebrations, Br. Mickey McGrath has shared images of Sister Thea Bowman, an African American sister and advocate for social justice, at churches and conferences all around the country. 
 
Bowman challenged her church to accept her as “fully black and fully Catholic.” Her life and work were transformative for Br. Mickey, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, inspiring him to pursue a new calling to art.
 
“As a result, Thea has led me to deeper awarenesses of my own spiritual development and journey, and has helped me grow more sensitive to the many different voices and faces of Christ in the margins of our church and world today,” Br. Mickey said prior to a February art exhibit that included his Thea Bowman collection.
 
Bowman was the granddaughter of a slave, an advocate for racial justice, and the first African American woman to address the U.S. bishops' conference. Two years ago, her sainthood cause was opened.
 
At age 51, in a wheelchair and fighting cancer, Bowman delivered an address about race and Catholicism to the U.S. bishops before inviting them to join her in singing and swaying to a Negro spiritual.
 
To purchase prints from the Thea Bowman collection, visit Br. Mickey’s website at bromickeymcgrath.com.