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Memoir of Pierre Toussaint: Slave, Hairdresser, Candidate for Saint
This is a reprint of the classic 1854 story of Pierre Toussaint, one of the most respected persons in New York City when he died in 1853. Readers will learn about the true nature of heroic virtue and devotion to the goodness of charity. Toussaint's journey began as a slave in Haiti, and progressed to a career in New York as a wealthy and sympathetic hair stylist. There he traveled to neighborhoods to rally those overwhelmed by fevers and plague; supported Mother Elizabeth Seton's orphanage started in 1817; raised funds for the city's first Catholic cathedral, now called Old St. Patrick's; and started a credit bureau, employment agency, and refuge for priests and poverty-stricken travelers. In 1990, his remains were disinterred and laid to rest under the altar at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue. It is commonly anticipated that he will be named the first black American saint of the Catholic Church.
88 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 19, 2020
Quite informative. If only it weren't so terribly racist. Written by a white woman in 1854, that came as no surprise. Still, it was quite unpleasant.
April 20, 2021
Truly inspiring!
This man, born a slave in what is now Haiti was forced to move with the Toussaint family thanks to the "liberating" slave rebellion in that country, directly inspired by the principles of the French Revolution. Moving to New York City, Pierre Toussaint ended up providing for his master from his own pocket money gained by his talent of doing ladies' hair.
After many years, Pierre Toussaint new people of all classes in New York. This great book records that it was not uncommon to see him being greeted by one of the most famous ladies in New York and then by a simple girl, and then by one of the many poor that he gain alms to generously. There were some people that he had been visiting for some thirty years. He might have helped them for their first Holy Communion, then their Confirmation, then their wedding, etc.
Truly an inspiring story that we all can learn many lessons in these days of friction and uncharity in all countries and people.
This man, born a slave in what is now Haiti was forced to move with the Toussaint family thanks to the "liberating" slave rebellion in that country, directly inspired by the principles of the French Revolution. Moving to New York City, Pierre Toussaint ended up providing for his master from his own pocket money gained by his talent of doing ladies' hair.
After many years, Pierre Toussaint new people of all classes in New York. This great book records that it was not uncommon to see him being greeted by one of the most famous ladies in New York and then by a simple girl, and then by one of the many poor that he gain alms to generously. There were some people that he had been visiting for some thirty years. He might have helped them for their first Holy Communion, then their Confirmation, then their wedding, etc.
Truly an inspiring story that we all can learn many lessons in these days of friction and uncharity in all countries and people.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews