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St. Benedict the Black
Born near Messina, Italy, in 1526; died at Palermo, Italy,
April 4, 1589; beatified in 1743; canonized in 1807.
Benedict was the son of freed negro slaves of Sicily. He was
about 21 when he was publicly insulted on account of his race,
and his patient and dignified demeanor on that occasion was
observed by the leader of a group of Franciscan hermits.
Benedict was invited to join the group at Montepellegrino. When
their superior died, he was made superior of the community.
When he was about 38 (1564), Pope Pius IV disbanded communities
of hermits and they were absorbed into the Friars Minor of Observance.
Thus, Benedict became a Franciscan lay brother and the cook
at Saint Mary's monastery near Palermo.
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