Hello and welcome to St. Stories for Kids, a weekly podcast full of fun stories and

facts about the holy men and women that have come before us. I'm your host

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Today we'll be telling the story of St Benedict the More, whose feast is celebrated on April 4th.

St Benedict the More, Il Moro an Italian, which means the dark skinned, was

born in a small town near Messina, Sicily in 1526. Benedict's parents were taken from Africa and lived as slaves, but because their master

liked them, he granted Benedict his freedom before he was even born.

St Benedict didn't go to school, like most peasants during that time, and couldn't read or write.

Instead, he spent his youth working as a shepherd.

One day, while he was out tending to his flock, a group of young men began to insult Benedict because of the color of his skin.

St Benedict did not fight back but remained peaceful and kind.

This episode was witnessed by the leader of a Franciscan community who was so impressed by Benedict's character that he

invited him to join them.

St Benedict spent the rest of his life as a religious, first as a cook, then as the leader of

the community, and then again as a cook, which is what he

liked to do for the remainder of his life. St Benedict the more is the patron saint of African missions,

African Americans, and people of color.

Now it's time for our story.

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