This month, visitors to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles will have the rare opportunity to venerate sacred relics and art masterpieces of St. Francis of Assisi. They’ll also be able to see a remarkable set of tapestries created by artist John Nava.
They depict 135 saints and Blesseds of the Church, from the first-century to modern times. The saints are male and female; clergy, laity and Religious, from the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa, their gazes directed to the Eucharistic altar.
Famous Franciscan saints are among them, including Francis, Clare, Bonaventure. Junipero Serra and Anthony of Padua. Also depicted are the less famous, including a dozen anonymous people placed in the crowd as a reminder that saints continue to live among us.
One of the lesser-known Franciscan saints depicted in the Los Angeles cathedral is St. Benedict the African. His name is frequently invoked for churches serving African-American communities in the United States.
Benedict was born in 16th-century Sicily, the son of African slaves who were later granted freedom. After enduring insults directed at his race, Benedict, at the age of 21, joined a Franciscan hermit community. At the age of 28, he became the community’s leader.
Pope Pius IV later disbanded such hermit communities, so Benedict became part of the mainstream friars, taking up life in an Italian friary. While he wanted to serve as a humble Brother, his leadership was recognized and he was elected to lead his community. Although he was unable to read or write, he became known for his theological insights and interpretation of the Franciscan Rule. He was often sought out for his counseling and charity, including healing the sick.
Saint Benedict the African died in Palermo in 1589 and was canonized by Pope Pius VII in 1807. He is a patron saint of Black American Catholics.
In November we celebrate All Saints Day soon after the month commences on the day after Halloween. The feast is a reminder that among us today are those whose sanctity and devotion to the poor are extraordinary gifts worthy of celebration. May we always be mindful of the great contributions of those faithful friars and laity who continue to model their lives on the Franciscan saints, particularly in their service to the poor.
Today the friars continue to be inspired by those Franciscans who came before them. They find inspiration with those modern-day saints who have devoted themselves to service to the poor. To learn more about how you can help the Franciscan Friars carry out their mission, contact Bro. Paul O’Keeffe, OFM, via email at pokeeffe@friars.us or by calling 646-278-4699.