Ven. Pierre Toussaint

Pierre’s family was from Haiti, but he was a slave to an American family who settled in New York. When the father of the family died suddenly, Pierre could have obtained his freedom. The man’s widow was in difficulty, and Pierre stayed and worked as a hairdresser for the fashionable ladies of New York City to support her. Everywhere he went people were drawn to him because of his gentleness and kindness. They gave him money to help others. He helped pay for Old St. Patrick’s Church on Mulberry Street in New York City and he cared
for many sick people.