Augustus Tolton

A freed slave and a man of great fortitude and faith. Deeply affected by the words and actions of others. Passionate about helping to free people from whatever enslaves them, whether it be physical or spiritual. A man of few words, but sharp wit.

ARCHBISHOP FEEHAN. 54. Bishop of Chicago. Welcomes Gus & introduces him to his parishioners at the St. Augustine Society.

MR. BARNES. 40s. Owner of a saloon. Mean-spirited.

CLEMENT. 20s. Gus' classmate. Friendly and welcoming.

LEWIS. 20s. A classmate of Gus'. A good debater. Playful.

FATHER DOLAN. Light Irish dialect. 42-43. A lifelong friend of Fr. McGirr's, and Gus's tutor. Battling alcoholism while he tries to be a good teacher and minister.

CARDINAL SIMEONI. Light Italian dialect. 30s. A cardinal in Rome. Prayerful, thoughtful, proactive. Gives Gus his first assignment as a priest.

An Irish-born priest. Zealous. Blunt. Unwilling to let people live outside of the truth. Committed to helping Gus achieve priesthood.

HENRY. 20s. Gus' honest, curious classmate.

CHARLES. 30s. A drunk at a saloon.

African American. Gus' Catechism student. An ambivalent girl who slowly opens up to learning about the Catholic faith.

MARTHA. African American. 34-53Gus' mother. Deeply faithful. Unendingly self-giving.

MRS. WALSH. 40s. The snooty mother of Gus' classmate. Displeased that Gus is attending the school.

PETER. African American. Mid 30s. Gus' father. Passionate about his son's freedom.

MR. PLEASANT. African American. 30s. Foreman at the Harris Tobacco factory. A very cheerful man. Admires Gus' work ethic.

African American. A bully. Taunts Gus over the color of his skin.

SISTER HERLINDE. 29-39. A nun and teacher at Gus' school. Softly spoken. A natural "mother" to the students she teaches.

ADELAIDE. 20s. Harry's wife. Angry that he continues to drink & gamble.

African American. Gus as a boy. A tender heart. Deeply affected by the words & actions of others.