"Benedic the Moor"(1526-April 4,1589)

Was an Italian Franciscan friar in Sicily who is venerated as a saint in the Catholic and Lutheran churches .Born of African slaves,he was freed at birth and became known for his charity.As a young man he joined a Franciscan-affiliated hermit group,which he became the leader.In 1564 he was sent to the Franciscan friary in Palemrmo,where he continued good works.He was born to Cristoforo & Diana Manasseri,Africans who were taken as slaves in the early 16th century to San Fratello (also known as San Fradello or San Philadelphio),a small town near Messina,Sicily.They were given Italian names and later were converted to Christantly.The Italian "il Moro"for "the dark skinned" has been interpreted as referring to Moorish heritage,Because of his appearance,Benedict was also called AEthiops or Niger (both referring to black skin color and not the modern-day countries.)
His parents were granted freedom for their son before his birth because of their "loyal service."Like most peasants,Benedict did
not attend any school and was illiterate.During his childhood and youth,
he worked alongside his family for meager wages.He was quick to give what he had earned to those more needy and to the sick.When he was 21,Benedict was publicly insulted for his color.His patient and dignified bearing at this time was noted by the leader of an independent group of hermits on nearby Monte Pellegrino,who followed the Rule for hermit life written by St.Francis of Assis.Benedict was was quickly invited to join that community,and shortly thereafter he gave up all his earthy possessions and joined them.He himself eventually became leader of that group.
In 1564 Pope Pius IV disbanded independent communities of hermits,ordering them to attach themselves to an establish religious order,in this case,the Order of Friars Minor.Once a friar of the Order.Benedict was assigned to Palermo to the Franciscan Friary of St. Mary of Jesus.He started at the fiary as cook,showing the degree of his advancement in the spiritual life,he was soon appointed as the Masters of novices,a d later as Guardian of the community,although he was a lay brother rather than a priest,and illiterate.Benedict accepted the promotion,and successfully helped the order a stricter version of the Franciscan Rule of life.He was widely respected for his deep,intuitive understanding of theology and Scripture,and was often sought for counseling.Benedict also had a reputation as a healer of the sick.Combined,these characteristics continued to draw many visitors,to him even after he returned to kitchen duty in his later years.
When he died,i is claimed on the very day and hour which he had predicted.At the entrance of his cell in the Franciscan friary of St.Mary of Jesus,there is plaque with the inscription:"This is the cell where Saint Benedict lived.