9 Inspiring Black Saints You Probably Don't Know About

St. Maurice Born in 250 AD in Thebes, an ancient city in Egypt, St. Maurice commanded a legion of Roman soldiers who were ordered to kill rebellious Christians but refused. As a Christian himself, he would not lie and sacrifice lives for the Roman gods but rather he decided to stand in truth for his one true God. Maurice and the other soldiers were sentenced to death. St. Benedict the Moor, the Black Born a slave near Messina, Italy, in 1522, he was eventually freed by his master and committed to living a solitary life with other hermits. Shortly after, he became a superior, a title that he believed he was unworthy of holding. St. Benedict joined the Franciscan Friars, which relied on charity. It was said that he was responsible for multiplying their food source and became known for his healing and miracles around Italy. He is the patron saint of Blacks in the U.S. St. Monica of Hippo St. Monica was born in North Africa in 322. She was united with a pagan official through an arranged marriage. Her married life was very violent, but through patience and prayers she was able to overcome the abuse from her husband and help convert him to the Catholic faith. She dedicated her life to prayer for her children so that they may find God. She persistently prayed for her son Augustine for 17 years to be baptized and know God. In the months before her death, Augustine was baptized and committed himself to spiritual transformation. She is the patron saint of wives and abuse victims. St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita was born in Sudan in 1869 but was kidnapped and sold into slavery. In early years, various owners tortured and branded her, but this only strengthened her will and closeness to spirituality. She was last sold to an Italian consul and accompanied his daughter to a school run by the Canossians, a group of Catholic religious institutions. She dedicated her life to God, practicing gentleness, holiness and forgiveness. She went on to say, “If I were to meet the slave traders who kidnapped me and even those who tortured me, I would kneel and kiss their hands. For if that did not happen, I would not be a Christian and religious today.” St. Augustine of Hippo St. Augustine was born in Tegaste, Africa (present-day Algeria), in 384. In his youth, Augustine lived a life of worldly ambitions, often struggling with his vices and beliefs. After years of prayers by his mother, St. Monica of Hippo, and hearing about two men’s conversion after reading about the life of St. Anthony, he was a changed man, convinced he needed to live with spiritual purpose, practicing poverty and charity. Having written over 1,000 letters and sermons and more than 250 books, St. Augustine is perhaps best known for two of his more popular works, Confessions and City of God, both of which are still read to this day. St. Martin de Porres Born in 1579 in Lima, Peru, his father was a Spanish gentleman and his mother a free black woman from Panama. At the age of 15, he became a layman at the Dominican Friary. He showed unceasing love to all humans and animals equally. He created animal hospitals to care for sick and dying animals. He used his spiritual wisdom to help people resolve issues in their lives and come to know God through triumph over tribulations. St. Anthony the Great St. Anthony the Great was born in Egypt in the year 251. He came from a Christian home and was always deeply involved in church and the Holy Scripture. At the age of 20, both of his parents died and he felt called to follow Jesus’ word to "go, sell what you possess and give it to the poor … come follow me." He lived the rest of his life working in a nearby village, dedicating himself to prayer and helping the poor. He was tempted by worldly desires, but rather than give in, he recommitted to prayer and fasting in order to overcome. He ministered in prisons at the time of Christian persecution and healed the sick. Pierre Toussaint Pierre Toussaint was born in Haiti in 1766 and was brought to New York City as a slave. He gained access to skills such as reading, writing and hair dressing, where he quickly learned the trade. Once his master died, he used his trade skills to support his master’s widow and other house slaves so that they would not be sold. Once a free man, he donated to charities, opened a home and school for orphans and nursed the abandoned people suffering from yellow fever. He attended Mass daily. When encouraged to retire and enjoy his wealth he said, “I have enough for myself, but if I stop working I have not enough for others.” A venerable, he is in the process of becoming a saint. St. Moses the Black St. Moses the Black, an Ethiopian man, was born in Egypt in 330. Moses came into a life of spirituality and service after taking shelter with monks to avoid capture by the police. Their generosity, peace and contentment influenced him greatly to renounce his old ways and join the monastery. Once attacked by a group of robbers, he overcame them, tied them up and brought them back to the monastery to seek counsel on how to handle the matter as a Christian should. St. Moses spent the remainder of his life seeking to grow closer to God through reconciliation and forgiveness of others by word and example.

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