Dominican Lay Brother (1579-1639)
His life
+ Martin de Porres Velazquez was born in Lima, Peru. The son of a Spanish noble and a freed African slave, he entered the Order of Preachers as a lay brother.
+ Serving his community as a barber, farm-laborer, almoner, and infirmarian, Martin devoted his life to prayer and penance. He was also known for his charity to both man and beast.
+ Honored for his spiritual wisdom and insights, he was especially loved by the poor and abandoned.
+ Saint Martin de Porres died on November 3, 1639, and was canonized in 1962.
For prayer and reflection
Brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,
if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.—Philippians 4:8
Spiritual bonus
On this day, we also remember priest Valentine and the deacon Hilary who were martyred around the year 304 in Viterbo, Italy, during the persecutions of the Emperor Diocletian.
Prayer
O God, who led Saint Martin de Porres
by the path of humility to heavenly glory,
grant that we may so follow his radiant example in this life
as to merit to be exalted with him in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal)
Saint profiles prepared by Fr. Silas Henderson, S.D.S
And today we celebrate...