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

• Born into slavery in Haiti in June 27, 1766
• Was educated by his captives' tutors
• Was sent to New York in 1787 with his sister and captor's wife
• Made a living as a hairdresser
  • As his captors fell on hard times, his income actually provided for them and the other slaves
  • He served some of the wealthiest and most prominent New Yorkers
  • He used the time spent doing his client's hair to also minister to them
• Was freed in 1807 at the age of 41
• Purchased the freedom of and married Juliette Noel
• Purchased their home and opened it to orphans, the poor, and the needy 
• Organized a credit bureau, job bureau, and lodged traveling priests 
• Attended daily mass for 60 year and was devoted to the Rosary
  • Being a freed slave as well as a Catholic were two marks that were looked down upon in in New York at the time
• Provided substantial financial contributions to build St. Patrick's Cathedral
  • Was originally denied entry to the Cathedral's dedication because he was Black
  • Apologized and turned to leave without a fuss, but was recognized by another usher and allowed entry
• Was a benefactor for the first Black Catholic elementary school in New York
• Said to be the father of Catholic Charities
• Remains were relocated to St. Patrick's Cathedral in 1990
  • He is the only lay person buried there
  • Only Cardinals and Bishops typically are given that honor
• Pierre Toussaint died on June 30, 1853, at the age of 87
• Cause for Canonization officially opened in 1991
• Sainthood Phase: "Venerable"
• Remaining phases: "Blessed" and "Saint"

• Ven. Pierre Toussaint — Former Slave and Possible Future Saint
• This hairdresser slave is on the way to canonization
• Venerable Pierre Toussaint: A man, a gift, an inspiration 
• Pierre Toussaint's holiness was recognized throughout New York City. All he needs now is official canonization.
• Pierre Toussaint: from slavery to sainthood
• Pierre Toussaint,a slave, society hairdresser, philanthropist, may become nation’s first black saint

• The Legacy of Pierre Toussaint
• Venerable Pierre Toussaint
• Quick Facts Video