Benedict the Mohr
Benedetto Manasseri OFM , in hagiography as Benedict the Moor called (even il Moro or the Africans ; * 31 March 1526 in San Fratello , † 4. April 1589 in Palermo ) was a äthiopischstämmiger freed slave and religious , who in Sicily had . He is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church .
He was born on the estate of the Chevalier de Lanza in San Fratello, Province of Messina, the son of Christopher and Diana Manasseri, two Ethiopians . His parents were previously brought there as slaves and were later baptized . Because of her loyalty, her son was promised freedom at the age of 18, and he was given it.
When Benedict was 21 years old, he went to the monastery on Monte Pellegrino as a hermit . In 1564, when Pope Pius IV banned hermitism, Benedict moved to Palermo and joined the Order of the Minorites . In 1578, although he could not read or write, he was elected superior against his will by the community . Benedict died at the age of 63, according to tradition at a point in time that he himself had foretold.
Benedict was beatified by Benedict XIV in 1743 . Pope Pius VII canonized Benedict in 1807 . Several miracles are attributed to Benedict the Moor. He is one of the patrons of his place of death, Palermo. His feast day in the Roman Catholic Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is April 4th .
See also
Web links
- Benedict the Mohr in the Ecumenical Lexicon of Saints
- Biography on the site of St. Benedict the Moor Church, Pittsburgh, PA (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Benedict the Mohr |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Benedetto Manasseri |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Friar, saint |
| DATE OF BIRTH | March 31, 1526 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | San Fratello |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 4, 1589 |
| Place of death | Palermo |