Saint Martin de Porres

Image: Portrait of St. Martin de Porres, c. 17th century, Monastery of Rosa of Santa Maria in Lima.

The 3rd of November is the feast day of Saint Martin de Porres (December 9, 1579 – November 3, 1639). He is the patron saint of the Diocese of Biloxi, Vietnam, Mississippi, black people, hair stylists, innkeepers, lottery, lottery winners, mixed-race people, Peru, poor people, public education, public health, public schools, race relations, social justice, state schools, television, Mexico, and Peruvian Naval Aviators.

Saint Martin de Porres lived between 1569 and 1639 and born in Lima, Peru. His nobleman father did not acknowledge his illegitimate son for 8 years, and his mother was a freed slave woman from Panama, of an African or Native American descent. His father eventually abandoned the family when Martin’s sister was born. He was raised in poverty, and as a young man worked as an assistant to a barber-surgeon, learning medicine and caring for the sick. At the age of 15 he joined the Dominican friars, becoming a Lay Brother. He nursed the sick in the Dominican infirmary and the sick among the townspeople. He even gave his own bed to a sick man. He worked as an almoner as well, and begged for money, using the money to help with his work to tend the poor and sick. An orphanage was founded by him, and he tended to African slaves and gave alms to those in need. He demonstrated miraculous powers, healing the sick, bi-locating, levitating, expressing hidden knowledge, and communicating with animals. His sanctity was well known with many people coming to him for spiritual direction.