Saint Benedict the Black or Benedict the Moor was born a slave near Messina, Italy. He was freed by his master and became a solitary, eventually settling with other hermits at Monte Pellegrino. He was made superior of the community, but when he was about thirty-eight, Pope Pius IV disbanded communities of solitaries and he became a Franciscan lay brother and the cook at St. Mary's convent near Palermo. He was appointed, against his will, superior of the convent when it opted for the reform, though he could neither read nor write. After serving as superior, he became novice master but asked to be relieved of this post and return to his former position of cook. His holiness, reputation for miracles, and his fame as a confessor brought hordes of visitors to see the obscure and humble cook. He died at the convent, was canonized in 1807, and is the patron of Blacks in the United States. The surname "the Moor" is a misnomer originating from the Italian il moro (the black).
His feast day is April 4th.
Central Harlem Vicariate -Men in Prayer
History
The Million Man March in Washington, DC on October 16, 1995, was a call for a day of atonement among black men that inspired and empowered men of color nationwide to take ownership and act on their responsibility to be tools of the one God of all.
A group of Black Catholic men in the Central Harlem Vicariate responded under the guidance of Rev. Monsignor Wallace A. Harris, Episcopal Vicar of Central Harlem by forming "1000 Men in Prayer" whose mantra begged “Let No Boundary Prevent Our Coming Together".
On May 25, 1996 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, layman and priest prayed together and Muslim, Protestant and Jewish brothers in spirit gave praise, glory, worship and homage to God. This was in the spirit of the Million Man March.
Ten full years have passed and again Men in Prayer make the call out to men of faith to “let no boundary prevent our coming together".
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Mission Statement
The Central Harlem Vicariate Men in Prayer Group consists of several men’s organizations that represent a lay ministry and are recognized within the Vicariate, Church, Parish or the Archdiocese. Our Mission is to come together as one body for the purposes of evangelization. This may represent prayer groups, spiritual meetings, retreats, preparation for religious life, community service, charity work, lay ministry as defined by a pastor and most acts kindness.
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Sponsoring Organizations
St. Benedict the Black-Men in Prayer- St. Charles Borromeo
3rd Order of Lay Franciscans- Church of All Saints
Men of Commitment-Men in Prayer- St. Mark the Evangelist
Office of Black Ministry-NY Archdiocese
Men of Faith-Church of the Resurrection
Saint Aloysius Church
Saint Joseph's Church
Martin L. King-Knights of Columbus-Harlem Vicariate
Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Cusillo Movement-Harlem Ultreya
Men’s Choir-St. Charles Borromeo
Holy Name Society-St. Charles Borromeo
Web Site: http://googlegroups.com/group/men-in-prayer
E-mail: men-in-prayer@googlegroups.com
