Catholic Saints: St Moses the Black

In this month of February, I find there are some instances or people that are most appropriate for Black History Month and today’s individual fits well. Now, this person was not born in the Americas nor did he ever lives in the Americas but his journey of life should be an example of how we carry on. He was a person who life started rough and the constant struggles he endured gives example of how we all are on a similar path even if we began life differently.

Moses, born around the year 330, was an Ethiopian living in Egypt as a slave. While working for at an Egyptian official’s house he was accused of stealing and having a vicious nature as well as accused of committing murder that he was banished or dismissed by his master. Free from this, Moses joined a group of brigands and continued the life of robberies and murders. It was said that to go along with his evil character he also possessed great physical strength which helped him become the leader of the group. It is likely that they just didn’t elect him but more likely he took power because of his attributes. He and his gang terrorized the Nile Valley that they roamed.

His change of heart began when he took refuge in the monastery of Petra in the Skete desert, located near Alexandria, while fleeing from authorities after one robbery. It was here that Moses began his arduous journey of changing his life. While there Moses was impressed with their dedication and the peace and contentment they possessed. This lifestyle of the monks influenced Moses enough to give up his old way of life and become a monk. He was said to have wept and beged to be admitted as one of the brethern, but the skeptism the monks had about Moses sincerity of being repetent kept him from being a member. Finally, after his incessant nonstop asking to be a member he was accepted.

As with all of us, old habits are hard to break and this would be the case with Moses. He was obedient to the head of the monastery as well as the brethern and was continually showing tears over his past sinful life. Moses became frustrated with his inability to be perfect in monastic life, and it took St. Isadore, the abbot of the monastery, to help Moses. Taking Moses to the roof in order to watch first rays of dawn come up and the new day began when Isidore said, “Only slowly do the rays of the sun drive away the night and usher in a new day and, thus, only slowly does one become a perfect contemplative.” Moses would continue to need assistance by the abbot who instructed him and helped to strengthen his resolve.

Moses grew in spirit and one story was when a fellow brother had committed a fault and a council was held. Moses refused to attend, but they waited for him to arrive anyway. Finally, Moses decided to attend the meeting but first filled a leaking jug with water (depending on the version told it may have been a basked and sand) and walked to the meeting as the contents spilled out of the container. When asked why he was doing this Moses responded, “My sins run out behind me and I do not see them, but today i am coming to judge the errors of another.” The brother was forgiven.

Moses would spend time as a hermit and eventually become a spiritual leader of a colony of hermits. By age 75 Moses was far different from his days as a leader of brigands. He had been ordained a priest, was a spiritual leader of a colony of hermits, and had finally conquered his passions. At this point in his life, marauding Berbers came to descend upon the hermits and murder all of them. The brothers wished to defend themselves but Moses forbade this and asked them to flee to safety instead of fighting. Moses and seven others stayed behind. The Berbers would kill six of the monks as one hid and finally they killed Moses who never raised his hand in anger and died a martyr.

St. Moses lived a life like all of us. One of struggles with our passions for sin or doing wrong. Much like we should do, he overcame these passions through his own severe discipline to conquer his sins. He would be remember for being a man that became humble and very helpful to his brothers especially those who were older and needed assistance. Everyone can learn from St. Moses whether you are Catholic, religious, black, or whatever else. If we can only accomplish a fraction of what he did we not only make a difference with ourselves but the world.

If you’re Catholic then I leave you a final tidbit, a prayer. (You do not have to be Catholic to recite the prayer.)
O God, we rejoice in Your forgiving love. Through the intercession of Your Martyr St Moses the Black, grant that we may always have the grace to turn to You in time of difficulty and temptation, assured as we are of Your constancy in our regard. This we ask through Christ our Lord, Amen.