 |
| San Benedetto il Moro, ora pro nobis |
Descended from African slaves that converted to Christianity, the meek and pious youth entered a Franciscan hermitage on Monte Pellegrino under Girolamo Lanza. Following the passing of their founder, Benedetto was elected their superior.
In 1562, Pope Pius IV disbanded the hermit community and encouraged the confreres to join another order. Benedetto joined the Order of Friars Minor in Palermo and, despite being illiterate, eventually rose from cook to superior of the Friary of Santa Maria di Gesù.
Revered for his sanctity, he was often consulted by priests, prelates and even the illustrious Viceroy of Sicily, Marcantonio II Colonna. He is renowned for healing the sick and feeding the poor by miraculously multiplying bread and fish through prayer.
After his death, San Benedetto’s cult spread from Sicily to Spain and the new world with the Spanish. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XIV in 1743 and canonized by Pope Pius VII in 1807. His patronal Feast Day in San Fratello is commemorated on September 17th.
In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Benedict the Moor in Italian. The prayer card pictured was a gift from a friend who is a fervent devotee of “il santo Moro.” Evviva San Benedetto il Moro!
Preghiera
O celeste patrono S. Benedetto che per seguire fedelmente Gesù abbracciasti volontariamente la poverta', insegnaci a distaccare il nostro cuore dai beni terreni per non divenire schiavi. TU che vivesti nell' ardente amore di Dio e del prossimo, ottienici di praticare la vera carita' e di avere il cuore aperto a tutte le necessita' dei nostri fratelli. TU che conosci le ansie e le speranze di questa tua terra , proteggici sempre e donaci di poter conseguire con te la gloria eterna. Amen
