|
Also known as: Martin of
Charity; the Saint of the Broom (for his devotion to his work, no matter
how menial)
Profile
Illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a young freed black slave, he
grew up in poverty. 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;
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.
Established an orphanage and children's hospital for the poor children of
the slums. Set up a shelter for the stray cats and dogs and nursed them
back to health. Lived in self-imposed austerity, never ate meat, fasted
continuously, and spent much time in prayer and meditation. Great devotion
to the Eucharist. Friend of Saint John de Massias.
He was venerated from the day of his death. Many miraculous cures,
including raising the dead attributed to Brother Martin. First black
American saint.
Born: 9 December 1579 at Lima, Peru
Died: 1639 of fever
Beatified: 1873
Canonized: 16 May 1962 by Pope John XXIII
Patronage
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, television
Readings
The example of Martin's life is ample evidence that we can strive for
holiness and salvation as Christ Jesus has shown us: first, by loving God
"with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and
second, by loving your neighbor as yourself."
When Martin had come to realize that Christ Jesus "suffered for us and
that he carried our sins on his body to the cross, he would meditate with
remarkable ardor and affection about Christ on the cross. He had an
exceptional love for the great sacrament of the Eucharist and often spent
long hours in prayer before the blessed sacrament. His desire was to
receive the sacrament in communion as often as he could.
Saint Martin, always obedient and inspired by his divine teacher, dealt
with his brothers and with that profound love which comes from pure faith
and humility of spirit. He loved men and because he honestly looked on
them as God's children and as his own brothers and sisters. Such was his
humility that he loved them even more than himself, and considered them to
be better and more righteous than he was.
He did not blame others for their shortcomings. Certain that he deserved
more severe punishment for his sins than others did, he would overlook
their worst offenses. He was tireless in his efforts to reform the
criminal, and he would sit up with the sick to bring them comfort. For the
poor he would provide food, clothing and medicine. He did all he could to
care for poor farmhands, blacks, and mulattoes who were looked down upon
as slaves, the dregs of society in their time. Common people responded by
calling him, "Martin the charitable."
He excused the faults of others. He forgave the bitterest injuries,
convinced that he deserved much severer punishments on account of his own
sins. He tried with all his might to redeem the guilty; lovingly he
comforted the sick; he provided food, clothing and medicine for the poor;
he helped, as best he could, farm laborers and Negroes, as well as
mulattoes, who were looked upon at that time as akin to slaves: thus he
deserved to be called by the name the people gave him: 'Martin of
Charity.'
It is remarkable how even today his influence can still move us toward the
things of heaven. Sad to say, not all of us understand these spiritual
values as well as we should, nor do we give them a proper place in our
lives. Many of us, in fact, strongly attracted by sin, may look upon these
values as of little moment, even something of a nuisance, or we ignore
them altogether. It is deeply rewarding for men striving for salvation to
follow in Christ's footsteps and to obey God's commandments. If only
everyone could learn this lesson from the example that Martin gave us.
from a homily by Blessed Pope John XXIII given at the canonization of
Saint Martin de Porres
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintm02.htm
|
