Benedict the Black, Saint

Benedict the Black, Saint, d. 1589, Sicilian friar. Born a slave, he became a hermit and later a Franciscan lay brother. Although illiterate, his humility and extraordinary powers as spiritual director caused him to be made Superior. He has erroneously been called Benedict the Moor. He was canonized in 1807. Feast: Apr. 4.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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