... Early in 1886, Augustine learned that he would be ordained a priest on Holy Saturday, April 24, in St. John Lateran Church in Rome. St. John Lateran has the title of "The Mother and Head Church of the City of Rome and the World." Saint John Lateran is the pope's cathedral. It is not St. Peter's in the Vatican as is so often supposed. ...

... Deacon Tolton knew three months ahead of time that he would be ordained a priest in this basilica the day before Easter. During these months of anticipation he must have visited the church. He wrote to Father Richard, "My seminary studies are about over now, and I will go on to Africa right after my ordination in April."

The day before his ordination, Good Friday, April 23, 1886, Augustine's faith was put to the test. Cardinal Giovanni Simeoni addressed the deacons who would be ordained the next day and he reminded them of the "Propaganda Oath." It bound them in obedience to go wherever they would be sent. Augustine knew that he would be sent to Africa. He was admitted to the Propaganda with this understanding. The bishop of Alton, Illinois, of his home diocese, was not able to get him into this seminary; he had had no contact with him nor with the seminary during the past six years. Augustine had studied about Africa. He was anxious to find out to which part of the great continent he would be sent. However, Augustine was not prepared for what was about to happen.

Cardinal Simeoni spoke to Augustine and informed him that at a committee meeting the evening before, it was agreed that he should be sent to Africa, but at the end of the discussion, Simeoni overruled announcing, "America has been called the most enlightened nation in the world. We shall see if it deserves that honor. If the United States has never before seen a Black priest, it must see one now!"

The Cardinal told Augustine that he was being sent back to the United States, to the Diocese of Alton, Illinois, his home diocese. It was a blow to Augustine and it came swiftly; it was a disappointment, but it was the cost of a vow of obedience! ...

April 24, 1886, Holy Saturday, the day of Augustine Tolton's ordination to the priesthood dawned. Pope Leo XIII delegated Cardinal Giovanni Parocchi to officiate at the ceremony. "Let those come forward who are to be ordained to the Order of Priesthood," announced the Master of Ceremonies. Then the names of the candidates were called one by one. "Augustine Tolton!"

The Black man from St. Peter Church in Quincy, Illinois, U.S.A. responded, "Adsum" meaning "I am present." He stepped forward. The ordination ceremony lasted several hours. The Litany of Saints was chanted as the great statues overlooked the prostrated forms of the candidates. ...

... Cardinal Simeoni made arrangements for Father Tolton to celebrate his first Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica, the largest and most popular church in Christendom. It was April 25, 1886, Easter Sunday. Pilgrims must have wondered when they saw a red-robed cardinal taking his place humbly beside a black priest.

Father Tolton began, "Introibo ad altare Dei." The cardinal gave the server's response, "Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam." Father Tolton had first heard these Latin words in St. Peter Church, Brush Creek, Missouri; he then learned them by heart as Sister Chrysologus taught him how to serve Mass at St. Peter Church in Quincy. Now he was saying the priest's prayers in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome...

.... in a letter to the bishop of Alton dated June 16, 1886, the bishop was informed, "We have advanced 220 liras which Father Tolton needed to pay for his voyage and we have charged this amount to the Diocese of Alton. Father Tolton is a good priest, reliable, worthy, capable, deeply spiritual and dedicated." Father Tolton left the Urban College on June 13, 1886.