Before we get into the biographies of Chase and Gaudet, I want to outline the procedures to become an Episcopal saint. The General Convention of the Episcopal Church, the primary legislative and governing body of The Episcopal Church that meets every three years, adopted guidelines to “commemorate” persons under its procedures for continuing alteration of the calendar in the Episcopal Church which published editions of Lesser Feasts and Fasts. The Church is “the communion of saints” who are “made holy through their mutual participation in the mystery of Christ.” Episcopalians believe that “this communion exists through history, exists now, and endures beyond ‘the grave and gate of death’ into heaven.” We also believe “those still on their earthly pilgrimage continue to have fellowship ‘with those whose work is done.'” The Church commemorates deceased church members with the following traits:
The aforementioned traits are not legal conditions and are only guidelines. Many commemorations remain at the local, diocesan or regional levels. To receive national recognition a proposal to commemorate must be submitted to the Calendar Committee of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music of the General Convention by three or more Church bodies. Rationale for commemoration must include an inspirational 350-word biographical sketch of the person to be commemorated, which should include some of the person’s own words. The final decision is made by the General Convention. The calendar, including the biographies and propers appointed for each saint, are maintained in Lesser Feasts & Fasts, which is published by Church Publishing following each General Convention. With the help of Mother Liz and AI, I was able to find two excellent examples of Episcopal sainthood in the United States. Philander Chase
Chase continued to study for the priesthood while he taught school in Albany, New York. Chase was assigned missionary duties in New York’s northern and western parts. He evangelized on horseback, baptizing, preaching and meeting the needs of widely scattered Episcopalians and other Protestants. Chase preached to the Mohawks in conjunction with the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. In 1799 Chase served congregations in New York and was finally ordained as a priest on November 10, 1799, in New York City. He continued to teach at a school in Poughkeepsie in order to support his family.
Chase traveled to England in October 1823 to raise money for a seminary in Ohio, Raising $30,00, he returned home and persuaded the Episcopal convention in Ohio to authorize Bexley Hall seminary in November 1824. Trustees of the Episcopal Convention of Ohio felt that Chase was too ambitious and held too many positions. The Convention requested him to resign from some of the positions. Not to be told what to do, he instead, on September 9, 1831, resigned his bishopric and other positions. He then moved to Millersburg, Michigan and bought a farm. Having an unrestful nature, he moved to Gilead, Michigan only to start evangelizing again. When the Diocese of Illinois, which was growing rapidly with Episcopalians, called he accepted their offer to be the Episcopal Bishop of Illinois at Peoria. Finally, in 1843 he became the sixth Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Chase grew in seniority in the Midwest where he founded Jubilee College near present-day Peoria and Kenyon College where he was the president. He finally retired, However, in September 1852 Chase died in a carriage accident. Unfortunately, the Jubilee was a failure, and its buildings were restored and donated the State of Illinois. Today, the buildings are closed but are listed on National Registry of Historic Places. The grounds of Jubilee are a state park open to the public. The Episcopal Church venerated Philander Chase and established his feast date as September 22. Frances Joseph-Gaudet Frances Joseph-Gaudet was also honored as a saint by the Episcopal Church as a lay person. She was born in a cabin at Holmesville, Mississippi in 1851. Her mother was a Native American descendant, and her father was a slave. As a teenager Gaudet went to New Orleans to live with her brother and attend Straight College, which was an all black college from 1886 before merging with Dillard University. Married at 17, Frances finally divorced after 10 years from her alcoholic husband. With three young children, she became a seamstress but began to become involved in social work at the turn of the century. Holding prayer meetings for black prisoners, she also wrote and delivered letters for them and found clothing. Frances eventually extended her ministry to white prisoners. She became dedicated to prisoners and penal reform, and Joseph-Gaudet became a recognized leader by prison officials, city officials, the Governor of Louisiana, and the Prison Reform Association. In 1900, she served as a delegate to the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, an organization which still exists, at its international convention in Edinburgh, Scotland. When she returned to New Orleans, her ministry turned to serving the new juvenile court, for which she had advocated and worked to create. Her ministry began to serve young offenders, especially blacks arrested for minor offenses. When her home became too small house homeless children, Joseph-Gaudet raised $5000 to purchase a farm on Gentilly Road. In 1902 she founded the Colored Normal and Industrial School on 105 acres. With numerous buildings the facility served as an orphanage as well as a boarding school for children with working mothers. As principal of the school, Gaudet in 1919 donated the complex to the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana. The Diocese renamed the facility in her honor and added the rector from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church as chaplain. She continued to serve as the principal for an additional two years.
On January 11, 2026, the new Frances Joseph-Gaudet mural was unveiled at Historic St. Luke's in New Orleans. "This larger-than-life prayer card honors Blessed Frances Joseph-Gaudet and extends a powerful invitation to all who encounter it. It will become an integral part of the street’s daily life, reminding all who pass by of Gaudet’s dedication to community through ministry. May we reflect on her enduring example and remember that the work continues. As we learn from her legacy, we are called to co-create a thriving community that supports Black futures in our city, building a place where all can flourish. Step into the vibrant colors. Experience it in person. Let it spark curiosity, draw you inside, and deepen your commitment to serve and to grow in God’s love." - The Episcopal Diocese of Lousiana
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