Benedict the Moor
Italian-born African Franciscan friar in Sicily
Feast: 4 April (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
Benedetto Manassari was born at San Fratello near Messina in 1526 to parents descended from African slaves, and was called 'the Moor' for the colour of his skin. At 21 he joined a community of hermits and lived on Monte Pellegrino.
He later became a Friar Minor, humble in everything and always full of faith in divine Providence. He is co-patron of Palermo with St Rosalia.
The miracles
The Dicastery's biography does not describe the miracles approved in the cause.
Why that counted as sanctity
A son of slaves who became a humble friar trusting wholly in Providence, loved by the people of Palermo.
Connected on this site
- Pius VII Servant of God“He died in 1589 and was canonized by Pope Pius VII in 1807.” — Wikipedia
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints - biography: Benedetto il Moro
- Wikidata Q559356 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Benedict the Moor (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.