St. Martin de Porres

The mixed-race Dominican lay brother of Lima who healed the sick, fed the poor, and befriended the mice.

The story

Son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed African slave, Martin was rejected by his father and barred by law from full religious profession. He entered the Dominicans as a servant and became the most beloved man in Lima: barber, surgeon, almoner, founder of an orphanage, friend to animals, and miracle-worker who bilocated to Africa and Asia. Even the friars who had scorned him sought his prayers.

What Martin teaches

Humility is power. Martin turned every rejection into service and every service into love.

Patronage

racial harmony, barbers, the poor, public health.

Prayer

St. Martin de Porres, pray for racial justice, for the poor and sick, and teach us your humble charity. Amen.