10 Facts About Julia Greeley

In 1865, Julia Greeley was freed during the American Civil War, though not by the Emancipation Proclamation.

Julia Greeley was baptized into the Catholic Church on June 26,1880, at Sacred Heart Church in Denver, and became especially devoted to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Holy Eucharist, receiving Holy Communion daily.

In 1901, Julia Greeley joined the Secular Franciscans and remained an active member for the rest of her life.

Julia Greeley spent the majority of her time helping others and completing church duties.

Julia Greeley pulled a red wagon through the streets of Denver in the dark to bring food, coal, clothing, and groceries to needy families.

Julia Greeley made her rounds after dark so as not to embarrass white families ashamed to accept charity from a poor, black woman.

Julia Greeley was going to be laid into a pauper's grave, but Greeley refused to let it happen.

Julia Greeley is one of the four people that US bishops voted to allow to be investigated for beatification at their fall meeting that year.

Julia Greeley joins four other African Americans placed into consideration in recent years, and is the second most recent.

Julia Greeley's body was moved to Denver's Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in 2017, making her the first person to be interred there since it opened in 1912.