St Martin de Porres, Helper in Hopeless Cases
3 November
Born in 1579 at Lima, Peru, the illegitimate son of a Spanish knight, at 12 his mother apprenticed him to a barber-surgeon, who taught him the healing arts. Martin had a deep devotion to Our Lord’s Passion, and continually prayed to know what he could do in gratitude for the immense blessings of redemption. At 15, Martin received the habit of the Third Order of St Dominic and became a servant at the Dominican Rosary Convent at Lima. He was professed as a lay brother, which Martin felt was too great an honor for him.
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He served in several offices in the convent - barber, infirmarian, wardrobe keeper, gardener and counsellor. He worked at hard and menial tasks without ever losing a moment of union with God. His charity, humility, and obedience were extraordinary. Soon Martin's reputation as a healer spread abroad. He nursed the sick, including plague victims, and helped found an orphanage and foundling hospital. He distributed the convent's alms of food (which he is said to have increased miraculously). Martin ministered to the slaves that had been brought from Africa.
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He cured as much through prayer as through his knowledge of the medical arts. Among the countless cures attributed to Martin were a priest dying from a badly infected leg and a young student whose damaged fingers were causing him to be refused ordination.
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Martin spent his nights in prayer and penance, and he experienced visions and ecstasies. He was endowed with the gift of bilocation; he was seen in Mexico, Central America, and Japan, by people who knew him well, whereas he had never otherwise travelled outside Lima. He passed through locked doors, in this way appearing at the bedside of the sick without being asked and always soothed the sick even when he did not heal them.
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Even sick animals came to Martin for healing. He demonstrated a great control of and care for animals extending his love even to rodents, whose scavenging he excused on the grounds that they were hungry. It is said that the prior objected to the rodents, ordering Martin to set out poison for them. Martin obeyed, but was sorry for the rats. He went into the garden and called softly. He reprimanded them, told them about the poison, and assured them he would feed them every day in the garden, if they would refrain from annoying the prior. Forever after, they never troubled the monastery.
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Martin's friends included St Rose of Lima. He was consulted on delicate matters by persons of consequence in Lima. His community came to respect him so much that they accepted his spiritual direction, even though he was but a lay brother.
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He died of quatrain fever at Rosary Convent on November 3, 1639. The Spanish viceroy came to kneel at his deathbed and ask his blessing. Martin was carried to his grave by prelates and noblemen. The miracles, which caused Martin to be called a saint in his own lifetime, continue today at his intercession.
Topic: Are there any well known Saints who were born out of wedlock? (Read 1403 times)