November 3 Feast day

Saint Martin dePorres is also known as Martin of Charity; the Saint of the Broom (for his devotion to his work, no matter how menial)

 

 

 

As the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a young freed black slave, he grew up in poverty. He spent part of his youth with a surgeon-barber from whom he learned some medicine and care of the sick.

At age 11 he became a servant in the Dominican priory. Promoted to almoner, he begged more than $2,000 a week from the rich to support the poor and sick of Lima. Placed in charge of the Dominican's infirmary; he is known for his tender care of the sick and for his spectacular cures. His superiors dropped the stipulation that "no black person may be received to the holy habit or profession of our order" and Martin took vows as a Dominican brother.

He established an orphanage and children's hospital for the poor children of the slums. He set up a shelter for the stray cats and dogs and nursed them back to health. Martin lived in self-imposed austerity, never ate meat, fasted continuously, and spent much time in prayer and meditation. He was blessed by a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

He was venerated from the day of his death. Many miraculous cures, including raising the dead attributed to Brother Martin. First black American saint. He was born on December 9th, 1579 at Lima, Peru, and he died in 1639 of fever. He was beatified in 1873 and was Canonized on May 16, 1962 by Pope John XXIII

 

He is the patron saint of African-Americans, against rats, barbers, bi-racial people, black people, hair stylists, hairdressers, hotel-keepers, innkeepers, inter-racial justice, mixed-race people, mulattoes, Negroes paupers, Peru, poor people, public education, public health, public schools, race relations, racial harmony, social justice, state schools, and television.

Prayer to Saint Martin de Porres

To you Saint Martin de Porres we prayerfully lift up our hearts filled with serene confidence and devotion. Mindful of your unbounded and helpful charity to all levels of society and also of your meekness and humility of heart, we offer our petitions to you. Pour out upon our families the precious gifts of your solicitous and generous intercession; show to the people of every race and every color the paths of unity and of justice; implore from our Father in heaven the coming of his kingdom, so that through mutual benevolence in God men may increase the fruits of grace and merit the rewards of eternal life.

Amen.