FROM AFRICA TO SICILY, ST BENEDICT the Moor, O.F.M., (Italian: San Benedetto il Moro, 1526 April 4, 1589) was an Italian Franciscan friar in Sicily who is venerated as a saint in the Catholic and Lutheran churches. Born of Moorish (or African) slaves, he was freed at birth and became known for his charity. As a young man he joined a Franciscan – affiliated hermit group, whose leader he became. In 1564 he was sent to the Franciscan friary in Palermo, where he continued good works.
