Saint Benedict the Moor, a Sicilian Franciscan friar and son of enslaved African slaves who converted to Catholicism, was freed at birth. He became a Franciscan because of his love for the poor. They appointed him as cook and eventually Master of Novices. Even though he was illiterate he had an intuitive understanding of theology, scripture, and spiritual counseling. He was called “the Holy Black" and is incorrupt to this day.
