May 28, 2025

Dear Friend,

Today’s Saint of the Day features one of my absolute favorites: Venerable Pierre Toussaint. His life was marked by quiet, generous love—a kind of love I’ve been blessed to receive from mentors like Brother Tyrone Davis and Leah Dixon. Their self-giving has helped shape who I am and how I hope to love others. It’s that same spirit of generosity that fuels what we’re building at Franciscan Media.

Our digital mission is rooted in this same kind of love: the kind that meets people in their questions, doubts, grief, and joy. We don’t have all the answers—but we do have open hearts, and a deep desire to walk with others in faith. If you want to help us continue that kind of generous accompaniment, become a monthly donor.

Thank you for walking this week with me. I am so grateful to serve you.

Blessings, 

Ela Milewska

Digital Evangelization Strategist

Saint of the Day for May 28:

Pierre Toussaint

(June 27, 1766 – June 30, 1853)

Listen to Venerable Pierre Toussaint’s Story Here

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

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

When his master died, Pierre was determined to support himself, his master’s widow, and the other house slaves. He was freed shortly before the widow’s death in 1807.

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

Pierre donated to various charities, generously assisting blacks and whites in need. He and his wife opened their home to orphans and educated them. The couple also nursed abandoned people who were suffering from yellow fever. Urged to retire and enjoy the wealth he had accumulated, Pierre responded, “I have enough for myself, but if I stop working I have not enough for others.”

Pierre originally was buried outside St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, where he was once refused entrance because of his race. His sanctity and the popular devotion to him caused his body to be moved to the present location 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. Refusing to become bitter, he daily chose to cooperate with God’s grace, eventually becoming a compelling sign of God’s wildly generous love.

Venerable Pierre Toussaint is the Patron Saint of:

Barbers
Hair Stylists