This month is Black History Month. The focus tends to be more on African Americans, but certainly is not limited to them.
One Black Franciscan Saint who is honored as a patron by African Americans is Saint Benedict – sometimes called “the Moor,” “the Black,” or “the African.”
Saint Benedict was born in 1526 in San Fratello in Italy. He was the son of two slaves, but as a reward for their service he was set free. He did various kinds of farm work to support himself. In his early 20s, he joined a group of Franciscan-affiliated hermits, and eventually became the leader of the group.
In 1564, Pope Pius IV disbanded independent communities of hermits, ordering them to attach themselves to an established religious Order, so he joined the Order of Friars Minor. He initially served as a cook for the Friary he joined, but when his growing spirituality was recognized, even though he was illiterate and not ordained, be became the master of novices, and then the guardian. In truth, he was forced to accept his election as guardian. When his term ended, he happily returned to his work in the friary kitchen.
He became widely known for his gifts of prayer and the guidance of souls, and his reputation of holiness. Following the example of Saint Francis, Benedict kept seven 40-day fasts throughout the year; he also slept only a few hours each night.
Saint Benedict’s died in 1589. He was canonized in 1807.
Saint Benedict, pray for us.
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