Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Benedict the African, the Patron Saint of African Americans.

His parents lived in Messina, Sicily, as slaves from Africa. After being set free at the age of 18, Benedict worked on a farm for pay and soon had enough money saved up to purchase a pair of oxen. He was proud of the creatures. He finally joined a community of hermits near Palermo and became known as their leader. Pope Pius IV commanded these hermits to join the First Order because they adhered to Saint Francis Rule.

Eventually, Benedict held the offices of novice master and guardian of the friars in Palermo, which were uncommon for a brother to have in those days. Benedict felt obliged to accept his appointment as guardian. And after his tenure, he joyfully returned to his job in the friary kitchen.

Benedict reprimanded the friars humbly and charitably. He once rebuked a novice and gave him a punishment, only to discover that the noviciate was not the offender. Benedict instantly bowed in front of the noviciate and begged forgiveness.

Benedict was not attached to the few things he utilized in later life. His gifts for prayer and the guiding of souls won him a reputation for sanctity across Sicily. He never referred to them as “mine” but always as “ours.” Benedict fasted seven times for forty days during the year, imitating Saint Francis, and slept little at night.

King Philip III of Spain provided a particular grave for this pious Franciscan after the passing of Benedict. He received canonization in 1807, and African Americans revere him as a patron saint. April 4 is Saint Benedict, the African’s liturgical feast day.

Source: franciscanmedia.org