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November is known for Thanksgiving and the official kickoff to holiday shopping but it’s also Black Catholic History Month. While much isn’t known about Black Catholics, they have a long history of contributions to the Church and the religion. Recently, singer Solange named her compilation album after Saint Heron, an Egyptian martyr. Here are some other lesser-known Black saints.

St. Benedict the Moor

Born a slave near Messina, Italy, St. Benedict the Moor was freed by his masters and eventually settled in Monte Pellegrino, Italy. Before an uprise that led to reform catapulted St. Benedict to serve as superior of the St. Mary convent, he cooked for the parish. Many were excited by the prospect of seeing a former cook and would flock to see the saint who had a reputation for miracles. St. Benedict died at the convent and was canonized in 1807, becoming the Patron Saint for Blacks in the U.S.

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