Blessed Pierre Toussaint

A slave who served and supported his owner!

Blessed Pierre Toussaint was an African-American Catholic slave born in Haiti in 1766. His parents raised him as a Catholic and his master, Jean Berard, taught him to read and write. In 1787 his master moved to New York City to escape the social unrest among the Haitian slaves after the French Revolution. He thought that Pierre should have a profession in New York so he apprenticed him to a hairdresser. Pierre was a contemporary of Mother Seton in the early 19th century and a very successful hairdresser for New York socialites.

At that time, wealthy women had their hair decorated in elaborate fashions and a good hairdresser like Pierre made a decent living. Moreover, he had a quiet wit and was discreet. These qualities led his clients, who included Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, to confide in him and seek his advice. Pierre heard all of these women’s problems of errant husbands and children, sickness and financial problems. When people tried to pry some gossip from him, he said, “Toussaint dresses hair; he is no news journal.” He frequently quoted the Beatitudes and The Imitation of Christ in the spiritual guidance that he gave to his clients and he encouraged them to pray and patiently trust in God. They also supported Pierre in his charitable works. For 60 years, he attended daily Mass at six in the morning at the same church where Mother Seton later worshipped. Later he cooperated with her new order and established one of the first orphanages in New York.

Pierre’s master died and a slave rebellion on Haiti destroyed his widow’s support and left her in a deep depression. Pierre then supported the Berard household while still their slave. He refused to let the widow Berard lose her dignity or be burdened with the concerns of running s household so he took over all the household expenses. He bought his sister's freedom but decided to remain a slave himself so that he could care for Madame Berard. Often he put on great parties for Madame, paid for everything yet dressed as a butler and served the guests. He even postponed his own wedding to care for Madame. When his sister criticized him for supporting Madame while still her slave, Pierre answered, "He never felt enslaved but felt compassion for a lonely woman who was considered his owner."

Madame Berard finally gave Pierre his freedom on her deathbed. Pierre “thanked God he was able to keep this woman from knowing want and thanked God for giving her the courage to set him free."

At last, at the age of 41, Pierre was free. He bought the freedom of his sister, Rosalie, and her best friend Juliette whom he married. Together, they continued the charitable works that Pierre had begun. They helped refugees find jobs, cared for orphans and opened a school to teach black children a trade. They also provided financial help to the Oblate Sisters of Providence. When a plague struck the city, Pierre personally cared for the victims. When Pierre's sister Rosalie died leaving a young daughter, Pierre and Juliette welcomed her into their home. They had no children of their own but took abandoned boys into their home, educated them and found them employment.

When New York was hit with the plague, Pierre risked his life and nursed the sick and dying without regards to his own safety. His sister Rosalie said, "You think of everyone but yourself. Now that you are free, you are still acting like a white man's slave."

Pierre answered, "I have never felt I am a slave to any man or woman but I am a servant of the Almighty God who made us all. When one of His children is in need, I am glad to be His slave."

Pierre walked to his hair appointments with his rheumatic knee rather than subject himself to the discrimination of public transportation. He kept on working and gave a substantial part of his considerable income to the poor, telling a friend who urged him to retire, "I have enough for myself, but if I stop working I have not enough for others."

Pierre’s wife died in 1851 and two years later he died on June 30, 1853 at age 87. His last words were “God is with me” and then, when asked if he wanted anything, “Nothing on earth." General Schuyler said, "I have known Christians who were not gentlemen or gentlemen who were not Christians – but one man I know who is both - and that man is black .”

At Pierre’s funeral Mass, attended by an overflowing crowd, he was eulogized from the pulpit by the pastor, Father William Quinn, "A stranger would not have suspected that a black man of his humble calling lay in the midst of us. Though no relative was left to mourn him, yet many present would feel they had lost one who always had wise counsel for the rich, words of encouragement for the poor, and all would be grateful for having known him. There are few left among the clergy superior in devotion and zeal for the Church and the glory of God, among laymen, none."

Pope John Paul II visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral where Pierre is buried in October 1995, and said, "Beneath the high altar of this Cathedral, together with the former Cardinals and archbishops of New York there is buried the Servant of God, Pierre Toussaint, a married man, a one-time slave from Haiti. What is so extraordinary about this man? He radiated a most serene and joyful faith, nourished daily by the Eucharist and visits to the Blessed Sacrament. In the face of constant, painful discrimination he understood, as hew have understood, the meaning of the words, “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.’ ” Pope John Paul II beatified Pierre on March 22, 1998. His Feast Day is June 30.

For more information read Dan Lynch’s book, Saints of the States. Pope John Paul II requested this book He said we need, “A collection of short biographies of the Saints and the Beatified of America, which can shed light on and stimulate the response to the universal call to holiness in America.” (Pope John Paul II, The Church in America).

Fr. Andrew Apostoli CFR, Vice Postulator for the cause of the Sainthood of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, wrote the Foreword and said,

“This book is a wonderful contribution to appreciate the rich spiritual heritage we possess in the lives of so many heroic men and women of America. Dan Lynch traces the historical development, both secular and religious, through the centuries.” It’s the history of the faith in the United States and its saints in their historical context. Click here to order.