Born in Lima, Peru, in 1579, Saint Martin de Porres was the son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed woman of color from Panama. At the age of fifteen, he joined the Dominican Friary in Lima as a lay brother, dedicating his life to a multitude of services including barbering, farming, and caring for the sick as an almoner and infirmarian.

While Martin harbored a profound longing to become a missionary and perhaps a martyr, circumstances kept him within the confines of his local community. Instead, he practiced extreme personal penances, living his life as a testament to his faith. In return, it is said that he was blessed with extraordinary gifts, including the ability to bilocate and levitate.

On one occasion, Martin’s deep-seated compassion was illustrated when he brought a diseased and barely clothed beggar into his own bed. When chided for his actions by a fellow brother, Martin expressed that compassion should always take precedence over cleanliness, a sentiment that underscored his life’s philosophy.

During a dire epidemic in Lima, when many of his fellow friars fell ill, Martin miraculously tended to the sick, apparently passing through locked doors—a phenomenon confirmed by his superiors.

He continued his acts of mercy even when the provincial Superior forbade it, fearing the spread of contagion. His solution was to utilize his sister’s country home as a hospice. When reprimanded for bringing a severely wounded Indian to the convent, Martin humbly suggested that he was unaware that obedience was above charity, teaching an essential lesson to his superiors.

Saint Martin’s capacity for love was not limited to humans; he showed great care for animals as well and established a shelter for cats and dogs. His deep understanding of spiritual and temporal matters was evident in the way he addressed his sister’s marital issues, swiftly arranged a dowry for his niece, and resolved intricate theological questions for the learned of his Order and bishops.

A friend of St. Rose of Lima, Martin de Porres passed away on November 3, 1639. His canonization occurred on May 6, 1962, by the Catholic Church. Celebrated on November 3, his feast day honors his legacy as the patron saint of Peru, people of African descent, hairdressers, those of mixed race, the impoverished, public health workers, and advocates of racial harmony and social justice.

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14 COMMENTS

  1. 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 mu tual benevolence in God men may increase the fruits of grace and merit the rewards of eternal life. Amen.

  2. All holy men and women, martyrs, saints, angels, pray for us.
    Saint Martin de Porres, pray for us. For South America. Saint Rose of Lima, pray for us. For Peru. Blessed Maria Pierina de Micheli, pray for us. For Argentina.
    God the Father Almighty, may Our Lady, Mary Mother of the Church, pour graces this day through her humble hands for the sake of her Son. His will be done. Amen.
    Ecce Crucem Domini!
    Fugite partes adversae!
    Vicit Leo de tribu Juda,
    Radix David! Alleluia!
    Saint Anthony of Padua, pray for us. For Italy.
    Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us. For Rome.
    Saint Joseph, Terror of demons, save the USA.
    Blood of Christ Crucified, cleanse the Vatican.
    O my Jesus, I surrender myself to You. Take care of everything. Amen.

  3. Lord Jesus Christ, you became a servant for our sake to set us free from the tyranny of sin, selfishness, and conceit. Help us to be humble as you are humble and to love freely and graciously all whom you call us to serve. Amen.

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