Benedict the Moor

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Saint Benedict

The Moor, il Moro, The African, The Black
Born	1526, Messina, Italy
Died	April 4, 1589
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Church
Feast	April 4
Patronage	African missions; African American; black missions; black people; Palermo, Sicily
Saints Portal

Saint Benedict ("The Moor") (1526 – April 4, 1589) was born of Christopher and Diana Manasseri, Africans who were taken to San Fratello (also known as San Fradello or San Philadelphio), Diocese of Messina, Sicily as slaves and later were converted to Christianity. Benedict was not a Moor, but the Italian "il Moro" for "the Black" has been misinterpreted as referring to a Moorish heritage. Benedict was also called from his origin Æthiops or Niger (both simply meaning black and not referring to the modern-day countries).

Benedict's parents were granted freedom of their son at the age of 18, in what is cited as being due to their "loyal service." Benedict continued to work alongside his family for meager wages and was quick to give what he had earned to those more needy and to the sick. When he was 21 years old, he gave up all his earthly possessions and joined local hermits in Montepellegrino. In 1564, when Pope Pius IV disbanded the orders of hermits, Benedict moved to Palermo to the Franciscan Friary of Saint Mary. Benedict started at the friary as a cook, but was soon elected guardian and then novice master - despite being completely illiterate. Benedict was widely respected for his deep, intuitive understanding of theology and scripture; was often sought after for counseling. He died at the age of 63 and, it is claimed, on the very day and hour he predicted.

Benedict was beatified by Pope Benedict XIV in 1743 and canonized in 1807 by Pope Pius VII. It is also claimed that his body was found incorrupt upon exhumation a few years later. He is also commemorated as a confessor by the Lutheran Church on April 4.