The monthly listing of Dominican Saints and Blesseds whose feast days are celebrated in November, describe St. Martin as "first a Lay Dominican, then infirmarian, barber, worker among the poor, remarkable wonder-worker, and Church appointed patron of social justice, cooperator brothers and hair dressers".
The Dominican Supplement to the Liturgy of
the Hours tells us that "[in] his life of prayer Martin was
especially devoted to the Blessed Sacrament and to the passion of our
Lord".
Excerpts from the homily of Pope John XXIII at
the Saint's canonization set forth in today's Office of Readings
provide more detail of this humble servant:
"Whenever he would
contemplate Christ's terrible torture he would be reduced to tears. 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 possible."
"...He [Saint
Martin] loved men 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."
Why not take a few additional minutes
and look at a brief but very informative article into the life of this
humble servant of God, written by Brother Thomas Schaefgen, O.P. on
the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Saint’s canonization.
You can find his article here.
Would you join our Dominican
family in offering the following prayer to our beloved brother in Christ?
"To you Saint Martin de Porres we
prayerfully lift up our hearts filled with serene confidence and devotion.
Mindful of your unbounded and helpful charity to all levels of society and also
of your meekness and humility of heart, we offer our petitions to you. Pour out
upon our family the precious gift of your solicitous and generous intercession;
show to the people of every race and every color the paths of unity and of
justice; implore from our Father in heaven, the coming of His kingdom, so that
through mutual benevolence in God, men may increase the fruits of grace and
merit the rewards of eternal life. Amen"
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