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December 9, 1579 – November 3, 1639
Patron Saint of mixed-race people, barbers, innkeepers, public health workers, social justice, racial harmony, the poor, Peru, and animals
“Father unknown” written on his baptismal record was the first of many rejections St. Martin de Porres would receive in his lifetime. Despite having to endure the label of “mulatto” for his mixed race, St. Martin de Porres rose as a mighty example of Christian virtue.
Many miracles were reported to accompany St. Martin’s ministry: bilocation, miraculous cures, visions, and an ability to communicate with animals. St. Martin did not eat meat out of respect for his animal friends. He took care of sick animals, and sometimes, it seemed animals would seek him out when they needed help.
Born Juan Martín de Porres Velázquez in Lima in 1579, St. Martin was the son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed slave. He endured much rejection for his mixed heritage and illegitimate birth. He was called names and mocked for the circumstances of his birth. His father abandoned the family, leaving Martin, his mother, and his sister to face a life of poverty. St. Martin was placed with a barber-surgeon and learned practical skills that would later serve the sick and marginalized.
At age 15, he volunteered to help the Dominican friars in Lima, serving the needs of the religious community. He did the cooking, cleaning, and laundry. In return, he was allowed to live within the religious community. St. Martin was prevented from joining the order because of a law that excluded Black people from being accepted into religious orders. With great humility, St. Martin performed the most menial tasks daily with great dedication.
St. Martin’s devotion and charity for those he served, and the recognition of the people for his charitable service, moved the hearts of his superiors. After eight years at the convent, he was allowed to take solemn vows as a Dominican brother at the age of 24.
Ten years after he had received the religious habit of a lay brother, Martin was placed in charge of the infirmary, a position he would hold until his death. He showed great virtue and skill in caring for the sick, even in the most challenging cases. St. Martin was impartial in his work, serving both the wealthy and the poorest, including African slaves, with love and compassion. He founded an orphanage and a children’s hospital.
By the time of his death on November 3, 1639, St. Martin had become a beloved figure in Peru. When his body was exhumed 25 years later, it was found intact and fragrant.
Beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI, and canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII, St. Martin de Porres is celebrated as the first Black saint of the Americas. He is the patron saint of mixed-race people, barbers, innkeepers, public health workers, social justice, racial harmony, the poor, Peru, and animals.
There are many stories about Saint Martin healing and feeding creatures large and small. These included dogs, cats, mice, mules, cattle, chickens, and others. In one popular story, St. Martin helped a dog, a cat, and a mouse get along better by having them eat together out of the same bowl. While the story is amusing, some believe it holds a deeper meaning about the need for harmony among different races and classes of people.
Another story tells about St. Martin rising before 4:30 each morning to fulfill his duties as bellringer. The story asserts that St. Martin would never oversleep because every morning a cat would go into his cell and pull on his habit until he woke up. The most interesting part of the story is that the cat, like St. Martin, was mixed breed with white, black, and brown markings.
St. Martin served people of all backgrounds, making no distinction between their race or class. His dedication to serving the impoverished and oppressed in Lima, Peru, endeared him to his superiors and to the people of his city.
He demonstrated compassionate care for the suffering and provided food, clothing, and medicine for the poorest citizens in Lima. If he found a sick person lying in the street who had no place to go, he would share his own living space at the priory to care for them personally. Although these actions sometimes led to disagreements with his superiors, with time his superiors and others began to admire his love for the marginalized and came to understand his longing for a world without poverty and prejudice.
St. Rose of Lima and St. Martin de Porres were both members of the Dominican Order and shared a bond of profound spirituality. They lived across the street from each other in Lima, Peru, and attended the same chapel for daily Mass. They were both committed to serving the poor and the sick. As friends, they supported one another in their spiritual journeys. She assisted him with prayers and penances, and she found support from him during her struggles with mystical visions. They are both buried at the Convent of Santo Domingo in Lima.
This eBook combines stunning photography from EWTN’s Vatican Bureau along with Bible passages and saints’ quotes that will calm your heart, give you hope, and remind you that God is with us always. Simply fill out the form below and we will send this to you!
Born out of wedlock to a mixed-race couple, St. Martin de Porres overcame prejudice and gained acceptance throughout his entire life simply by using love and humility. An EWTN original film.
Novena to St. Martin de Porres: Pray Oct 26–Nov 3 for healing, humility, and strength in trials. St. Martin, pray for us.
As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
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