St Martin de Porres
Nov 3rd - Feast of St Martin de Porres
Saint Martin de Porres (1579–1639) was the illegitimate son of Don Juan de Porres, a Spanish nobleman, and Ana Velásquez, a freed woman of African descent; who faced discrimination and rejection all his life - yet by taking on himself the sins of his age - slavery, scorn of indigenous people and the oppression of the poor - he was able to lead an exemplary life as a true disciple of Christ.
From his very childhood, Martin loved God —the most tender Father of all— with a deep affection, expressing this love through simple, sincere gestures that could not fail to delight God Himself.
From his very childhood, Martin loved God —the most tender Father of all— with a deep affection, expressing this love through simple, sincere gestures that could not fail to delight God Himself.
Spanish colonial law barred individuals of mixed heritage from joining religious orders, so in 1594, Martin entered the Dominican Convent of the Holy Rosary in Lima as a "donado" —a volunteer servant- performing menial tasks like sweeping, laundry, and cooking. As a Dominican lay brother in colonial Peru renowned for his relentless care for the poor, pioneering medical outreach where his knowledge of herbal remedies was undoubtedly greatly expanded by his miraculous gift of healing, and profound humility
His devotion burned with such intensity that, on more than one occasion while at prayer, he appeared to be completely detached from all earthly things, his spirit rapt in contemplation of the heavenly realm. For there remained fixed in his mind a thought that Catherine of Siena had expressed in these words:
"It is surely fitting that he who loves should be loved in return. He who gives back love for love may be said to offer a drink to his Creator". And since Martin clearly understood that Christ Jesus had suffered for us—that He had "borne our sins in His own body upon the tree" —he cherished with a special love the One nailed to the Cross; and as he contemplated the most bitter torments of the Crucified, he could not restrain himself from weeping copiously. Likewise, he loved with singular devotion the most august Sacrament of the Eucharist—adoring it for many hours, usually in seclusion, within the sanctuary of the church—and he desired to be nourished by it as frequently as possible. Furthermore, he loved the most blessed Virgin Mary with incredible devotion, always holding her dear as a most tender Mother.
Moreover, Martin —most obedient to the promptings of his Divine Master— treated his brethren with the utmost charity, a charity rooted in uncorrupted faith and a humble spirit. He loved all men, sincerely regarding them as children of God and his own brothers; indeed, he loved them even more than himself, for, in his profound humility, he considered everyone else to be more righteous and better than he was. He even treated injured animals with an abundance of patience and love. In short, moved by these sentiments, he embraced his neighbors with a benevolence befitting true heroes of the Christian faith.
He would excuse the faults of others and forgive even the most grievous injuries, being firmly convinced that, on account of his own sins, he deserved far heavier punishments. He strove with all his might to lead the wayward back to a virtuous life, and he attended to the sick with great kindness. He provided food, clothing, and medicine to the poor; he supported farmers—as well as individuals of black skin or mixed ancestry, who at that time were regarded as little more than slaves—with every form of aid and care within his power. Indeed, his charity earned him the popular title "Martin of Charity." It is also worth noting that, in this regard, he adopted methods and approaches that were entirely novel for that era—anticipating, in a sense, the practices of our own time. For this reason, Pope, Pius XII, named Martin de Porres the patron of all social institutions in the Republic of Peru.
Martin followed in the footsteps of Christ with such fervor of spirit that he attained a state of perfect and consummate virtue, offering himself up as a living sacrifice. Responding to the call of the Divine Redeemer, he embraced the religious life, binding himself to a path of greater holiness. Within the monastery, he was not content merely to observe the obligations of his vows; rather, he practiced chastity, poverty, and obedience with such integrity that both his fellow religious and his superiors viewed him as the very embodiment of virtue.
From this radiance of holiness flowed a gentleness and sweetness that won over the hearts of all —people of diverse origins and backgrounds— both during his lifetime and even after his death. And from this, we can now very fittingly understand why this humble son of the Peruvian nation has been compared to Saint Catherine of Siena—who is herself considered a most brilliant star of the Dominican family and who was enrolled in the calendar of the saints five centuries ago. She is distinguished for her outstanding learning and strength of spirit; he, for having shaped the conduct and activities of his entire life according to Christian precepts.
Canonized by Pope John XXIII on May 6, 1962, St. Martin de Porres is the patron saint of social justice, racial harmony, public health workers, and people of mixed race.
Pope John XXIII said through the example of his life, St Martin de Porres demonstrates that we can attain salvation and holiness by following the path shown by Christ Jesus: namely, by loving God first with our whole heart, our whole soul, and our whole mind; and secondly, by loving our neighbors as ourselves.
Reference
1. In sollemni canonizatione Beati Martini De Porres Confesoris, Laici professi ex Ordine Praedicatorum, Homilia Ioannis PP. XXIII, d. VI m. Maii a. 1962. (n.d.). https://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/la/homilies/1962/documents/hf_j-xxiii_hom_19620506_martino-porres.html
"It is surely fitting that he who loves should be loved in return. He who gives back love for love may be said to offer a drink to his Creator". And since Martin clearly understood that Christ Jesus had suffered for us—that He had "borne our sins in His own body upon the tree" —he cherished with a special love the One nailed to the Cross; and as he contemplated the most bitter torments of the Crucified, he could not restrain himself from weeping copiously. Likewise, he loved with singular devotion the most august Sacrament of the Eucharist—adoring it for many hours, usually in seclusion, within the sanctuary of the church—and he desired to be nourished by it as frequently as possible. Furthermore, he loved the most blessed Virgin Mary with incredible devotion, always holding her dear as a most tender Mother.
Moreover, Martin —most obedient to the promptings of his Divine Master— treated his brethren with the utmost charity, a charity rooted in uncorrupted faith and a humble spirit. He loved all men, sincerely regarding them as children of God and his own brothers; indeed, he loved them even more than himself, for, in his profound humility, he considered everyone else to be more righteous and better than he was. He even treated injured animals with an abundance of patience and love. In short, moved by these sentiments, he embraced his neighbors with a benevolence befitting true heroes of the Christian faith.
He would excuse the faults of others and forgive even the most grievous injuries, being firmly convinced that, on account of his own sins, he deserved far heavier punishments. He strove with all his might to lead the wayward back to a virtuous life, and he attended to the sick with great kindness. He provided food, clothing, and medicine to the poor; he supported farmers—as well as individuals of black skin or mixed ancestry, who at that time were regarded as little more than slaves—with every form of aid and care within his power. Indeed, his charity earned him the popular title "Martin of Charity." It is also worth noting that, in this regard, he adopted methods and approaches that were entirely novel for that era—anticipating, in a sense, the practices of our own time. For this reason, Pope, Pius XII, named Martin de Porres the patron of all social institutions in the Republic of Peru.
Martin followed in the footsteps of Christ with such fervor of spirit that he attained a state of perfect and consummate virtue, offering himself up as a living sacrifice. Responding to the call of the Divine Redeemer, he embraced the religious life, binding himself to a path of greater holiness. Within the monastery, he was not content merely to observe the obligations of his vows; rather, he practiced chastity, poverty, and obedience with such integrity that both his fellow religious and his superiors viewed him as the very embodiment of virtue.
From this radiance of holiness flowed a gentleness and sweetness that won over the hearts of all —people of diverse origins and backgrounds— both during his lifetime and even after his death. And from this, we can now very fittingly understand why this humble son of the Peruvian nation has been compared to Saint Catherine of Siena—who is herself considered a most brilliant star of the Dominican family and who was enrolled in the calendar of the saints five centuries ago. She is distinguished for her outstanding learning and strength of spirit; he, for having shaped the conduct and activities of his entire life according to Christian precepts.
Canonized by Pope John XXIII on May 6, 1962, St. Martin de Porres is the patron saint of social justice, racial harmony, public health workers, and people of mixed race.
Pope John XXIII said through the example of his life, St Martin de Porres demonstrates that we can attain salvation and holiness by following the path shown by Christ Jesus: namely, by loving God first with our whole heart, our whole soul, and our whole mind; and secondly, by loving our neighbors as ourselves.
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