I did not get to know San Martín de Porres until a few years ago. Oh, I often saw his statue in churches and schools and wondered what his life would tell me. Some time ago I had a position in government that focused on assisting minorities and women. Boy, I quickly learned how harsh, mean-spirited and fractious race and gender politics can be. I knew that the only way I could have any degree of success would be only through divine intervention. So, I turned to my list of patron saints and there and behold was San Martín de Porres — patron of race relations, racial harmony and social justice. Needless to say, we quickly became friends. Actually, as I learned about Saint Martín I realized that he had been quietly waiting for me to turn to him for assistance and guidance.
Born to Freed Panamian-Born Slave
San Martín was born on December 9, 1579 in Lima, Peru. His father was a Spanish conquistador named Don Juan de Porres and his mother was a freed slave from Panama, of African or possible part Native American descent, named Ana Velázquez. Much to the disappointment of his father, Martín inherited his mother’s African features rather than European features. Don Juan refused to acknowledge his paternity and he abandoned his infant son and mother.
Although Juan and Ana later had a second child, a daughter named Juana, the father refused to provide for Martín and his sister. The children were raised by their mother in extreme poverty, on the lowest rungs of early Spanish colonial society because of their illegitimacy and racially mixed heritage.
Most people who grow in poverty are bitter, but not Martín. Instead, his poor background enabled him to relate to others. Stories about his remarkable generosity began to surround him even in his childhood. Often he would return home from the market with an empty basket because he had given the contents to homeless persons before reaching home. Now, there’s a lesson of the poor caring for the poor.
By the time he was ten, he was spending several hours of each day in prayer, a practice he maintained throughout his life. At an early age, Martín realized that Jesus Christ suffered for us and that He carried our sins on his body to the cross. Martín once asked his landlady for the stumps of some candles she had discarded, and she later saw him using their meager light to behold a crucifix before which he knelt, weeping.
Ministered to the Poor and Sick
When Martín was twelve, he was apprenticed to a barber. In those days, barbers were minor physicians – learning the rudiments of surgery; administering herbal remedies, dressing wounds, and treating wounds and fractures. By day Martín studied the properties of herbs and by night he prayed, sometimes the entire night.
At the age of fifteen, Martín joined the Third Order of the Dominicans, and went to live in the Dominican Priory of the Holy Rosary in Lima as a servant. As time passed, his humility, holiness and devotion to the care of the sick and poor began to convince his superiors that Martín was called to the religious life. They dropped the rule that “no black person may be received to the holy habit or profession of our order,” and Martín was professed as a lay brother in 1603.
Martín was placed in charge of the Priory’s infirmary, where he nursed the sick of the city, including victims of the plague. Fray Martín showed the same care and attention to all his patients, regardless of their ethnicity or social background.
The good Brother Martín established an orphanage and children’s hospital for the poor children of the slums. He set up a shelter for stray cats and dogs and nursed them back to health. Martín did not avoid humbler tasks like washing dishes, cleaning toilets or sweeping the floor. In fact, Martín’s symbol is the broom because he was happiest when doing humble work. He lived in self-imposed austerity, never ate meat, fasted continuously, and spent much time in prayer and meditation.
He financed his charitable activities through the art of nonprofit fundraising. Spanish nobles gave him large donations so that he could continue his work. In fact one estimate placed his weekly disbursements of funds at the level of $2,000, an astonishing amount for the 17th century.
Martín did not exclusively devote the funds to those in suffering situations; he also tried to level class distinctions. For example, he often provided money for a poor young woman’s dowry so that she could marry.
Model of Humility
Undoubtedly, San Martín experienced prejudice, disparaging remarks and gestures, put-downs and envy. He did not blame others for their shortcomings. He was always certain that he deserved more severe punishment for his sins than others did, he would overlook their worst offenses. St. Martín dealt with others with a profound love which comes from pure faith and humility of spirit. He loved people because he honestly looked on them as God’s children and as his own brothers and sisters. His humility was so great that he loved them even more than himself, and considered them to be better and more righteous than he was.
Celebrated in Stories
There are many tales of miracles and wonders worked by San Martín. He was said to have a supernatural rapport with the natural world as shown in this story that is still told more than four hundred years later.
On one occasion, his Priory became overrun with rats scavenging the food supplies, and the Prior ordered Martín to put down poison to eradicate them. Martín, out of holy obedience, complied; but then he went out into the garden and softly called the rats to a meeting. He reprimanded them for stealing food from the Priory, and warned them about the poison. He also told them that he realized that they were hungry, and promised that if they stopped annoying the Prior, he would feed them in the garden every day. The rodents agreed, and never bothered the Priory again.
After decades of serving with the Dominicans in various capacities, San Martín de Porres died on November 3, 1639.
Isn’t it remarkable how even today Saint Martín’s influence can still move us towards things of heaven? Sadly, not all of us understand these spiritual values as well as we should nor do we give them a proper place in our lives. San Martín is very loved in his home country of Peru. In the past, I shared a traditional Peruvian folk song titled Martín y Su Mula (Martín and His Mule). After getting to know this gentle saint, the song has grown more meaningful.
Featured Image via BethanyTwins.Wordpress.com
Let’s turn to San Martín and pray:
