Saints are all around us at St. Patrick’s Cathedral—depicted in stained glass windows, honored in chapels, and immortalized in statues. Their lives of holiness inspire the faithful who walk through the cathedral’s doors each day. But among them is a saint in the making—one whose journey unfolded right here in New York City. His name is Venerable Pierre Toussaint.

Born into slavery in 1766 in what is now Haiti, Pierre Toussaint was brought to New York, where he became a highly sought-after hairdresser to the city’s elite. But his success was never for himself alone. A devout Catholic, Toussaint used his wealth to care for the poor, fund orphanages, support Catholic Charities, and even help finance the construction of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

“He was someone that gave back with everything because he was a man of faith,” said Father Enrique Salvo, rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. “He was a pillar of the archdiocese.”

Though a layman, Toussaint was given the rare honor of being buried in the crypt of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where he rests among the Archbishops of New York. His cause for sainthood was opened in 1996, and he has already been declared Venerable—an important step towards canonization.

“Part of the process of becoming beatified and canonized is that miracles start coming,” said Father Salvo. “We’re hoping that someone comes with faith and asks Pierre Toussaint to intercede for them for a miracle.”

As the Church awaits the next steps in his canonization process, the faithful are encouraged to seek his intercession and pray for the recognition of this extraordinary New Yorker as a saint.

This story is part of The Good Newsroom’s ongoing series, “Saints of New York,” highlighting the lives of men and women who brought holiness to this city.