Feast of St. Martin de Porres

St. Martin de Porres, born in Lima, Peru in 1579, the illegitimate son of a Spanish gentleman and a freed slave. His early life was marked by poverty and racial discrimination, but Martin's unwavering love for God and his dedication to serving the poor and sick transcended the challenges he faced.

At a young age, he apprenticed as a barber-surgeon, acquiring skills in both cutting hair and medical treatments.

Drawn to a life of service, Martin joined the Dominican order as a lay brother, where he took on menial tasks within the monastery and became known for his humility, charity, and devotion. He cared for people from all walks of life, regardless of their race or social status, and founded an orphanage for abandoned children and slaves. Martin's acts of charity extended even to animals, earning him a reputation for his deep compassion.

Martin's life was filled with extraordinary gifts and miraculous occurrences, including bilocation, miraculous knowledge, and a strong rapport with animals. He passed away in 1639 after a year of suffering from illness.

St. Martin de Porres was beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI and canonized as a saint by Pope John XXIII in 1962. His life serves as an inspiration for embracing inclusivity and caring for those who are marginalized or discriminated against.

Known as the patron saint of; African-Americans; rats; barbers; hair stylists; hairdressers; hotel-keepers; innkeepers; inter-racial justice; mixed-race people; paupers; Peru; poor people; public education; public health; public schools; race relations; racial harmony; social justice; and television.

Celebrate the feast by doing the following:

• Attend mass.
• Volunteer at a soup kitchen and/or animal shelter.
• Pray for the end of slavery and racism.