By Currents Staff
A special Mass at the Lady Chapel within St. Patrick’s Cathedral celebrated the enduring legacy of Venerable Pierre Toussaint, the Haitian American philanthropist born into slavery whose life of faith and service continues to inspire Catholics across generations.
Toussaint, widely regarded as the spiritual founder of Catholic Charities of New York, dedicated his life to serving those in need despite facing discrimination and hardship. His witness to charity and humility remains a model for the faithful as his cause for canonization continues.
“He was very much aimed at education, excellence, young people who were not able to get education elsewhere,” said Brother Tyrone Davis, CFC, director of the Pierre Toussaint Scholars Program. “He also was very much involved in service to others, regardless of their race or gender or nationality or faith affiliation.”
Davis said Toussaint never allowed adversity to distract him from his mission.
“Pierre Toussaint was very, very focused on what he saw to be his calling,” Davis said. “He felt called to serve others. He remained focused on that, even at times when he contributed so much to the upliftment and the building of the Church, and people tried to humiliate him. He did not let that derail him in terms of his focus and his commitment to service.”
His commitment to education and service lives on through the Pierre Toussaint Scholars Program, which provides students with financial assistance, mentorship, spiritual formation, and leadership development.
For Anthony Berry, executive chair of the Catholic Charities of New York Junior Board, Toussaint’s example is deeply personal.
“As someone of Caribbean background, Pierre Toussaint is someone that is a model of my faith and someone that I look up to,” Berry said.
Current scholar Dayshauna Berry said Toussaint’s life reminds young people that holiness begins with serving others.
“A lot of venerables and saints have that selflessness,” she said. “But it’s good inspiration to keep going.”
Following the Mass, attendees were given special access to Toussaint’s crypt beneath the main altar of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He remains the only layperson buried in that sacred space, a testament to the extraordinary impact of his life and legacy.
As the Church continues to advance his cause for sainthood, those gathered said Pierre Toussaint’s example of unwavering faith, generosity, and perseverance remains as relevant today as it was during his lifetime.