The people of Denver have been reintroduced to our very own “Angel of Charity,” thanks to a special feature from 9NEWS.
Servant of God Julia Greeley’s cause for canonization remains open at the Vatican, with officials reviewing more than 11,000 documents submitted.
As the review continues, more and more of the faithful are coming to know the saintly former slave.
Born into slavery in Missouri, Servant of God Julia Greeley made her way to Denver in the 1800s and worked as a housekeeper. In what spare time she had, she gave alms in secret, supporting local families as she pulled supplies through the streets of Denver in her iconic red wagon.
“She had so many reasons to be bitter,” Father Blaine Burkey, OFM Cap., Greeley’s biographer, told 9NEWS. “She didn’t spend her time taking it out on anybody. She spent it helping other people.”
“Anytime she heard there were poor people who needed something, she did what she could to try and help them,” Father Burkey continued.
“When you think about someone who went about their business living the way we are called to live, caring about people, and sacrificing whatever you have, it makes the possibility of sainthood seem real,” said Dr. Barbara Wilcots, the vice president for student affairs at Regis University and a member of the committee that collected and reviewed the documents sent to the Vatican.
Learn more about Denver’s own Servant of God Julia Greeley and watch 9NEWS’ feature here.