Servant of God Julia Greeley
1833-1918
Life and Witness to Racial Justice:
Servant of God Julia Greeley, OFS, was born into slavery in Missouri, where she endured the trauma of racial violence—blinded in one eye as a child by the lash meant for her mother. Her early suffering became a lifelong testament to the brutal realities of systemic racism and the resilience of Black faith.
After emancipation, Julia worked for families in Missouri and later in Colorado, where she eventually settled in Denver. There, she entered the Catholic Church and found deep spiritual refuge in the Sacred Heart of Jesus—a devotion that became both her source of healing and her mission of mercy.
Each month, Julia visited firehouses across Denver, sharing literature and speaking about the love of Christ.
A daily communicant, Julia lived her faith through charity. Known as “Denver’s Angel of Mercy,” she spent her evenings delivering food, clothing, and coal to poor families—Black, white, immigrant—anyone in need. She often gave anonymously, honoring the dignity of those she served and defying the racial and social hierarchies of her time.
Julia Greeley’s life is a witness to racial justice rooted in love. Her legacy calls the Church to remember that reconciliation begins with mercy, and that holiness is often found in the quiet, courageous acts.
Cause for Canonization
Learn more about Servant of God Julia Greeley's cause for canonization.
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Video Resource
The Archdiocese of Denver presents a video on the life and legacy of Servant of God Julia Greeley.
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Prayer
Gracious and merciful God,
Send forth your Holy Spirit to dwell among us
That we, like your Servant of God Julia Greely,
May embody the healing power of charity in a wounded world.
Born into bondage and scarred by injustice,
Julia chose mercy over bitterness,
Serving the poor and marginalized with quiet courage and love.
Help us to walk in her footsteps—
To give with humility, to love without condition,
And to see Christ in every face, across every divide.
Draw us into deeper devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
That we may become instruments of reconciliation,
Witnesses to your justice,
And bearers of hope in our communities.
Amen.