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Benedict the Moor, O.F.M., ((イタリア語:Benedetto da San Fratello), 1526 – April 4, 1589) was an Italian Franciscan friar in Sicily who is venerated as a saint in the Catholic〔(St. Benedict ) at EWTN.com. Retrieved 2010-06-28.〕 and Lutheran churches.〔("What is a commemoration and how do we celebrate them?" ), Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Retrieved 2010-06-28.〕 Born of African slaves in San Fratello, he was freed at birth and became known for his charity. As a young man he joined a Franciscan-affiliated hermit group, of which he became the leader. In 1564 he was sent to the Franciscan friary in Palermo, where he continued good works. ==Life== Benedict was born to Cristoforo and Diana Manasseri, Africans who were taken as slaves in the early 16th century to San Fratello (also known as ''San Fradello'' or ''San Philadelphio''), a small town near Messina, Sicily. They were given Italian names and later were converted to Christianity. The Italian "il Moro" for "the dark skinned" has been interpreted as referring to Moorish heritage. Because of his appearance, Benedict was also called ''Æthiops'' or ''Niger'' (both referring to black skin color and not the modern-day countries.) Benedict's parents were granted freedom for their son before his birth because of their "loyal service". Like most peasants, Benedict did not attend any school and was illiterate. During his childhood and youth, he worked alongside his family for meager wages. He was quick to give what he had earned to those more needy and to the sick. When he was 21 years old, he was publicly insulted for his color. His patient and dignified bearing at this time was noted by the leader of an independent group of hermits on nearby Monte Pellegrino, who followed the Rule for hermit life written by St. Francis of Assisi. Benedict was quickly invited to join that community, and shortly thereafter he gave up all his earthly possessions and joined them. He himself eventually became leader of that group. In 1564 Pope Pius IV disbanded independent communities of hermits, ordering them to attach themselves to an established religious Order, in this case, the Order of Friars Minor. Once a friar of the Order, Benedict was assigned to Palermo to the Franciscan Friary of St. Mary of Jesus. He started at the friary as a cook, but, showing the degree of his advancement in the spiritual life, he was soon appointed as the Master of novices, and later as Guardian of the community, although he was a lay brother rather than a priest, and was illiterate. Benedict accepted the promotion, and successfully helped the order adopt a stricter version of the Franciscan Rule of life. He was widely respected for his deep, intuitive understanding of theology and Scripture, and was often sought for counseling. He also had a reputation as a healer of the sick. Combined, these characteristics continued to draw many visitors to him, even after he returned to kitchen duty in his later years. Benedict died at the age of 65 and, it is claimed, on the very day and hour which he had predicted. At the entrance of his cell in the Franciscan friary of St. Mary of Jesus, there is a plaque with the inscription: "This is the cell where Saint Benedict lived", and the dates of his birth and death - 1524 and 1589. Other sources suggest he was born in 1526. For instance, in a ''New York Times'' review of the 2012 exhibit, ''Revealing the African Presence in Renaissance Europe,'' at the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore, Maryland, his birth date is given as 1526.〔Holland Cotter, "A Spectrum from Slaves to Saints", ''New York Times'', 9 November 2012, pp. C21 and C28〕 Upon his death, King Philip III of Spain ordered the construction of a magnificent tomb to house his remains in the friary church.〔(【引用サイトリンク】work=AmericanCatholic.org )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Benedict the Moor」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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