SERVANT OF GOD, SR. DR. THEA BOWMAN "I WILL LIVE UNTIL I DIE", FAITH LIVED IN SONG, STORY, AND WITNESS!
- Mar 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 26
"Then the prophet Miriam, ... took a tambourine in her hand, ... [and while all the women went out after her with tambourines, dancing. ... she responded to them: sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea" (Ex. 15:21-22).
Co-authors: Evangel./Prof. Michael Howard and Andrew Lyke
On March 5, 2026, Andrew Lyke (the “Alley Catholic”) and I felt incredibly blessed to attend the premiere of I Will Live Until I Die, a new musical about the life of Servant of God, Sr. Dr. Thea Bowman, directed by our dear friend Dr. ValLimar Jansen. Dr. Jansen and her husband, Frank, provided the music, inspiring the audience to emulate the prophet Miriam's actions. From the opening note to the final beat, we clapped our hands, stamped our feet, and danced with tambourines; the atmosphere was filled with soulful praise.
As I reflect on my experience of a remarkable show, one aspect keeps resonating with me. Dr. Jansen utilized three different actors to portray three distinct periods of Sister Thea's life.
Shandria Wilson played the first phase, embodying Sister Thea as a young girl affectionately known as "Little Birdie." She captured the innocence and curiosity of a child searching for meaning in her life, grappling with the choice of befriending the Franciscan Sisters from Wisconsin or staying connected to her roots. Wilson provided a vivid depiction of Sister Thea's childhood experience.
The second period was portrayed by Tiffany Tenille, who played the role of a young Bertha. Tenille moved us to contemplate the calling that stirred her heart. This segment revealed Sister Thea's decision to leave home and pursue her true desires. Here, we witnessed a teenage girl explaining to her loving parents, as best she could, why she wanted to become Catholic and join the Franciscan Sisters, even if it meant saying goodbye to her family.
Dr. ValLimar portrayed the final period of Sister Thea's life. From her wheelchair, Dr. ValLimar captured the essence of Thea by recalling the powerful words she delivered to the United States Catholic Conference Bishops in 1989. We also heard the spiritual "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" and the iconic civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome."
While the captivating scenes and outstanding performances from the entire cast were truly breathtaking, one aspect stood out to me and will forever remain in my heart. Dr. ValLimar and her team must be commended for embodying the true spirit of Sister Thea. This was an intergenerational performance, with all age groups represented, reflecting the saintly Sister Thea's spirituality of inclusivity. I have seen and read many articles about Sister Thea, and she consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to include everyone, which was a vital aspect of her life.
Prof. Howard expanded on his experience of the musical, I, Andrew Lyke (the “Alley Catholic”), found the musical production breathtaking. As someone who knew Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, as both a friend and a source of encouragement, the performance of I Will Live Until I Die touched my heart and stirred my soul. I was first drawn to Thea when I met her in 1979. My family and I were in Cleveland for the episcopal ordination of my Uncle Jimmy, and it was at the reception following the ordination that I encountered her for the first time.
My immediate impression of Sister Thea was that she was somehow otherworldly—a quality I had sensed before in a few of Uncle Jimmy’s friends, many of them Franciscans, that he welcomed into our home for holiday meals. Thea possessed that same unmistakable presence. Her aura was gentle yet compelling, her eyes sincere, her smile warm and inviting. Despite her eccentricities, she had a disarming way about herself that made her delightful company—good, fun, and deeply human. Over the years that followed, I had the gift of truly getting to know her and calling her a friend.
The joy that defined Thea’s life was captured beautifully in the musical. The portrayal was spot-on. The music, scored by Frank and ValLimar Jansen, carried her spirit with grace and power. Since her homegoing, Sister Thea has taken up residence in my mind and heart, and I Will Live Until I Die has given that sacred residency a soundtrack—one that echoes her enduring joy, faith, and love.
In the end, I Will Live Until I Die leaves us where Scripture first led us—on the far shore, tambourine in hand, breathless with gratitude. Like Miriam, Sister Thea teaches us that faith is not only professed but embodied: sung, danced, proclaimed with the whole self. Her life was a response to God’s deliverance, a holy echo of that ancient song of freedom—an invitation for all of us, across generations, to step forward, lift our voices, and praise God with everything we have. For as long as there is breath in us, the song continues. We live fully, joyfully, faithfully—until we die.
 Evangel./Prof. Michael Howard, MACS Facilitator, University of Dayton, VLCFF, University of Notre Dame, McGrath Institute, STEP Online, Lead Faculty and Course Designer, "The Presence of Black Catholics in the Church Today and Tomorrow," Loyola Marymount University, Founder of Eat the Scroll Ministry: "I ate it, and it was sweet as honey" (Ez. 3:1). Web page: www.eatthescrollministry.com See “Sr. Thea Psalm of Praise” for more reflection! |  Andrew Lyke Antiracism Activist, Social Justice Advocate, Community Organizer, Relationship Coach, Social Media Influencer, Storyteller * Poet Co-author: Marriage On A Lampstand: Exploring a New Paradigm for Modern Christian Marriage Author: A Private Collection of Heartfelt Thoughts V-Card: http://HeyDrop.me/andrewlyke |
Honor Servant of God, Sr. Dr. Thea Bowman's legacy on March 30, the anniversary of her entrance into paradise with our ancestors.
Hallelujah!!! Thank you for enriching my life with this prayerful summary of Sr. Thea's play, "I Will Life Until I Die". I feel blessed to have been the recipient of her spirit through your words. This gives me the courage to keep living until I not only physically die but to have the spirit to continue to walk in Faith until God calls me home. Never give up, living life to its fullest with the energy and soulful beat of Sr. Thea. I thank God for giving Sr. Thea to us.
Blessed,
Christine Willis-Bennett