St. Martin de Porres
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Lived December 9, 1579 - November 3, 1639
Beatified: October 29, 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI
Canonized: May 6, 1962 by Pope John XXIII
Feast Day Nov 3
Patron saint of: Mixed Race, Innkeepers, barbers, public health workers
St. Martin de Porres was a Dominican friar and mystic from Peru. He was abandoned by his father at an early age and raised by his mother. He apprenticed under a barber/surgeon before hearing God call him to enter religious life. Due to his mixed race (Father was a Spanish nobleman and Mother was a freed slave from Panama of Native American or African descent), he endured prejudice and discrimination throughout his life even within his religious order. Due to his mother's ethnicity, St. Martin was not allowed by Peruvian law to become a full member of a religious order. That did not stop him from requesting to be allowed to volunteer to perform menial tasks within the monastery in exchange for being allowed to wear the habit and live in there. The Dominicans of the Holy Rosary accepted his request and allowed him to start as a servant boy.
Throughout his time at the convent, Martin was a barber, a healer, a kitchen aid, the launderer, the housekeeper, and an distributor of money to the poor. Despite the ongoing ridicule due to his mixed race that he received even from the brothers at the Convent, Martin still worked diligently and lovingly for those he served. He always welcomed anyone who came to him for care. Even during an epidemic, he disobeyed orders and went to care for the infirmed. He founded an orphanage for abandoned children and was known to raise dowry money for girls who didn't have it.
It is recounted that Martin had several spiritual gifts including instant cures, miraculous knowledge, bilocution, aerial flights and spiritual knowledge. He used his entire life to serve God's glory and share God's love with others.
Martin became sick in January of 1639 with chills, fever, and agonizing tremors. He died in November of the same year. When his body was exhumed 25 years later it was found intact emitting a splendid fragrance.
Ways to Celebrate:As a donado in the Dominican order, St. Martin had to do many lowly duties. He completed his chores with such care that he was called “the saint of the broom!” Do an extra chore with a cheerful attitude in honor of this selfless saint!
Give up complaining, say a prayer instead
Listen to Saint Stories for Kids Podcast Episode 89
