Saints come in all sizes, shapes and colors. Those who we designate “Saints” are those who lived and died and now live eternally in friendship with God. They are countless in number. Among them are those who the church has officially canonized. Listed below are just a few of the many noteworthy saints of African ancestry.

• Anthony of Egypt: (251-356 AD) Founder of Monasticism; “Desert Father of the Church.”
• Perpetua & Felicity: martyred in 203 AD; famous for their courage.
• Charles Lwanga & Companions: 22 young men martyred in 1885 and 1886; known as the Ugandan Martyrs.
• Cyril of Alexandria: (376-444 AD) Doctor of the Church, especially concerning the Incarnation and Mary as Mother of God.
• Monica: (332-387 AD) Mother of Augustine by her prayers, fasting and life, she led her husband, son, and mother-in-law to conversion.
• Augustine: (354-430 AD) Bishop of Hippo in Northern Africa, Doctor of the Church; most famous writings: “The Confessions” and “City of God.”
• Martin De Porres: (1579-1639) lived and worked in Lima, Peru; patron of justice and brotherhood.
• Paul the Hermit: (c.229-342 AD) a hermit in the Theeban Desert for over 100 years.
• Isidore of Alexandria: (c. 319-404 AD) hermit; directed a hospital.
• Serapion of Thmuis: martyred c. 365 AD; Bishop, noted for his writing of Liturgical prayers.
• John of Egypt: (304-394 AD) famous hermit, prophet-seer.
• Mary of Egypt: (c. 344-421 AD) famous female hermit; walked across the Jordan River.
• Benedict the Moor: ( 1526-1589) famous Franciscan patron of North American Black people.
• Pope Victor I: Pope from 189-199 AD; possibly the first to use Latin in the Mass; martyred.
• Moses the Black: (c. 330-405 AD) an unusual hermit; became a priest in his old age; martyred.
• The Theban Legion: (3 rd Century) Christian soldiers from Egypt led by Maurice; killed for refusing to give false worship
• Ammon: (c. 290-350 AD) hermit in the Nitrian Desert; founded monastery.
• Menas: (died c. 303 AD) one of the great Egyptian Saints.
• Pope Gelasius I: (Pope from 492-496) Noted for personal learning, holiness, and concern for the poor; instituted Liturgical reforms.
• Catherine of Alexandria: (died c. 311 AD) Martyr.
• Peter of Alexandria: (died c. 311 AD) Bishop and martyr; headed a catechetical school; famous for his scriptural knowledge.
• Pope Miltiades: (Pope from 311-314) suffered during the persecution of Maximian.