Venerable Pierre Toussaint, Saint of the day for May 28th

(June 27 1766 - June 30 1853)

The story of the venerable Pierre Toussaint

Born in modern-day Haiti and brought to New York as a slave, Pierre died a free man, a renowned hairdresser and one of New York's most famous Catholics.

Plantation owner Pierre Bérard made Toussaint a house slave and allowed his grandmother to teach her grandson how to read and write. In the early 20s, Pierre, his younger sister, his aunt and two other domestic slaves accompanied their master's son to New York City due to political unrest at home. Apprentice to a local hairdresser, Pierre quickly learned the trade and eventually worked successfully in the homes of wealthy women in New York City.

Upon the death of his master, Pierre was determined to support himself, his master's widow and other domestic slaves. He was released shortly before the widow's death in 1807.

Four years later, he married Marie Rose Juliette, whose freedom he had acquired. They later adopted Euphémie, his orphaned granddaughter. Both preceded Pierre in death. He attended daily mass in St. Peter's Church on Barclay Street, the same parish that St. Elizabeth Ann Seton had attended.

Pierre donated to various charities, generously helping needy blacks and whites. He and his wife opened their home to orphans and educated them. The couple also breastfed abandoned people who suffered from yellow fever. Urged to retire and enjoy the wealth he had accumulated, Pierre replied: "I have enough for myself, but if I stop working I do not have enough for others."

Pierre was originally buried outside the old St. Patrick's Cathedral, where he was once refused entry because of his race. His holiness and popular devotion to him led to the transfer of his body to the current home of St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue.

Pierre Toussaint was declared Venerable in 1996.

Reflection

Pierre was internally free long before he was legally free. By refusing to become bitter, each day he chose to cooperate with the grace of God, eventually becoming an irresistible sign of God's wildly generous love.