Reflection on St. Benedict the Moor by Rita Canton
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St Benedict the Moor and “Shifting the Atmosphere”March 23, 2025
In Anticipation of St. Benedict the Moor's Feast Day 
When we reflect on the life of St. Benedict the Moor, we may think of him in biographical terms. He was born in Italy to enslaved parents. Though he was not afforded the opportunity to be educated, he entered and led a community of hermits who followed the teachings of St. Francis. Finally, when hermit communities were disbanded, he became a Franciscan Friar where he was first a cook, then a Master of Novices, and lastly, Guardian of the Community, that is, the head of the Friary. He was canonized in 1807 and is the patron saint of African Americans. None of this is news for most of us. I think what is more impactful for us to consider is, that St. Benedict the Moor had a deep spirituality and a strong prayer life. In fact, his spirituality was so strong that through his obedience, God shifted the atmosphere in which he lived. Consider for the moment, Paul and Silas in the Acts of the Apostles 26:25 -30.
Now about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” [Paul protecting the jailer physically] And the jailer asked for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas; and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
Through Paul and Silas’ deep faith and worship of God, they were able to not only shake their chains loose and free themselves and the prisoners, but, more importantly, their actions led to the conversion of the jailer. They shifted the atmosphere.
In his life, St. Benedict the Moor did the same thing. St. Benedict the Moor was persecuted for his dark skin and lack of education. We know this story all too well. Many of our ancestors were persecuted for the same reasons. However, discouraging this may have been, it did not stop St. Benedict from serving God. He devoted his entire life to prayer and discerning the will of God.
When we give God room to work, he begins to change the atmosphere. Benedict served as the cook of the community, but he continued to pray and study, and the next thing that we knew, people were lined up at the kitchen door to hear him teach Scripture and ask for healing. Do you think those people were thinking, “Oh no, we shouldn’t go over to see Benedict because he has dark skin, is uneducated, and is the child of enslaved parents”? No! This negative thinking was thrown aside, and room was made for the presence of God. Benedict prayed and discerned the will of God - the atmosphere was shifted! When we are faithful, it is amazing what God will do through us!
When we think of saints, we think of people who are so holy and special, which, of course, they are. But this holiness is not just set aside for them. St. Benedict prayed and studied, studied and prayed. He put in the work. In doing so, he could hear and recognize the voice of God. When we do that, the result is a shift in the atmosphere. This is our legacy! Let us put in the work so that through our faith, study, and faithfulness, God will shift the atmosphere around us.