At the event, Sister Thea, who was battling cancer, sat in her wheelchair on the stage. Andrew recalled, “The Holy Spirit spoke through her as she shared stories, broke out in song, and led the assembly in spontaneous singing and prayer.” In her talk, Sister Thea called the audience to integrate our liturgy and justice into being sent out to bring the Gospel out into the world.

Today, almost forty years later, Andrew incorporates this call into his role as a Faith Formation Director on the East Coast. Her message permeates his talks about the Eucharist. He explained, “The time in between Sunday liturgies is the time to "give away" our Eucharist in service to those we encounter. This is what we offer at Mass on Sunday; this was a work of the people!”

Andrew looks back upon the 1989 convention with gratitude. One of the lasting images of Sister Thea was in June 1989 when she attended the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and she had the Bishops stand up, cross their arms holding each other’s hand singing “We Shall Overcome,” with tears in their eyes. “She had a gift to call people to become their best selves as God created them to be.”  

"Sister Thea taught me the possibility of holiness and sainthood,” Andrew shared. “Here in the flesh was a woman filled with the Holy Spirit, bringing the Incarnate Word into the world in her preaching, teaching, singing, and finally in her dying, carrying her cross with joy to the end.”

On February 4, 2026, Alessandra Harris took one of her parents to the Emergency Room with what they believed was pneumonia or a bad infection. After imaging was done, they had a diagnosis of late-stage lung cancer.

The canonization cause for Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman advanced significantly with the Diocese of Jackson closing the diocesan phase on February 9, 2026. A few days later, Alessandra shared, “I began praying for Sr Thea Bowman’s intercession with a specific ‘Prayer-intercession for the Canonization of Servant of God Thea Bowman.’”

Over the past months and now, Alessandra reports asking for Sister Thea’s intercession for miraculous healing and discovering herself transformed as a petitioner. “Like Sister Thea, I am a Black Catholic who tries to share the Gospel message through my writing, speaking, and witness, especially to those on the margins of society. Like Sister Thea, I am seeking equity, peace, and reconciliation in a country and world deeply troubled. And like Sister Thea, I am trying to help my parent live fully until they are called home to be with the Lord.”

“Sister Thea Bowman’s example is helping me find joy amidst the immense sorrow, suffering, and uncertainty; hope when none is promised; and charity for all those carrying their crosses. Even if a miraculous healing does not occur, I know that Sister Thea Bowman’s intercession has already changed me to be a better daughter, sibling, mother, and wife to my family.”