Saint Benedict

The man depicted in the mural is Benedict the Moor, venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church. Benedict's parents were African slaves, and when he was born in San Fratello (a town near Acquedolci), the child was granted freedom because of his parents’ “loyal service”.

From a young age, he stood out for his charity. He became the leader of a group of Franciscan hermits and traveled throughout Sicily helping the needy.

He later entered the Order of Friars Minor, where he was appointed Master of Novices and then Guardian of the community. Before his death in 1589, Benedict became a passionate scholar of theology and Sacred Scripture. He was beatified in 1743 by Pope Benedict XIV and canonized in 1807 by Pope Pius VII.

In Christian iconography, he is often depicted holding the Baby Jesus. He is one of the patron saints of Palermo and the principal patron saint of Acquedolci. Furthermore, the history of Acquedolci is linked to San Fratello, the town where Benedict was born. In fact, Acquedolci was born in 1922 after a landslide destroyed part of San Fratello, forcing the inhabitants to move towards the coast.