May Drinking Companion
This months drinking companion is one of my personal favorites for multiple reasons. Unknowingly he predated my childhood hero Jackie Robinson by nearly 100 years, over coming greater obstacles, just as humbly as my role model. In addition he was from NYC, he was catholic and buried in St. Patrick’s where my father had a miracle, due to some relics visiting from France in 1999. Later on in 2010 that miracle became my own and changed my life forever. These amazing experiences have others asking me to write a book. For now I can tolerate blogs and writing about others who inspired me to be something different in a challenging world, since they are the ones who deserve credit and their story to be told.
To begin Venerable Pierre Toussaint was Haitian born slave, according to the worlds way during his time. He eventually gained his freedom, but chose to remain at the service of his slave masters wife. Her husband died and Pierre felt it was his obligation to take care of this woman who had no one to support her. Pierre became a high end hair stylist that served the elite of NYC. He used those funds to support her, and when she passed he eventually used those earnings to serve the poor of NYC. He was one of the main benefactors for building the original St. Patrick’s near modern day Little Italy, in addition he opened soup kitchens to serve the poor.
Pierre like many blacks who were oppressed, but sought to make a difference, realized the situation was bigger than himself. He saw service to the greater good, and too God would overcome so much of the hostility that was so glibly directed towards them. Eventually their faith, hope, and love would over come these temporal moments. You saw this in the likes of Fredrick Douglas, Jackie Robinson, and most of all my friend Pierre.
Pierre currently lies in the crypt of bishops, in the modern St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC. A regular guy, among the elite apostolic leaders of Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church. It’s a true fulfillment of “the greatest shall be the least, and the least will be the greatest.” Thousands walk past this crypt daily, snapping touristy pictures missing the presence of Jesus to their right, and Pierre to their left. For those who have that personal relationship however, they are able to see the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and the great Saint Pierre Toussaint and all his bishop friends that influenced the great city of New York. Pierre is patron of the people of Haiti, hair stylist and barbers. I ask for his prayers and intercession for all of those out of work in this profession currently, due to our pandemic and that they may return to providing for those around them.
Pierre’s tomb in the crypt of St. Patrick’s