St. Martin de Porres, illegitimate child to lay brother, social justice warrior to flying saint: Saint of Universal Brotherhood

November 3 marks the feast day of Saint Martin de Porres (1579–1639,) a  Peruvian Dominican lay brother known for his humility, charity, and dedication to serving the poor and the sick, and blessed with extraordinary gifts, including miraculous healing, bilocation (appearing in multiple places at once), levitation during prayer, and a strong rapport with animals

Saint Martin is the patron saint of Black people, mixed-race people, barbers, public health workers, and those seeking racial harmony. 

Sain Martin was born in Lima, Peru, the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed Black woman. He faced poverty and discrimination due to his mixed-race heritage.

At age 12, he was apprenticed to a barber-surgeon, where he learned to cut hair and care for the sick. He was later accepted by the Dominican Order as a lay helper (lay brother), taking on menial tasks like sweeping and laundry.

Within the monastery, he served as an infirmarian and almoner, caring for people from all walks of life. Outside the monastery, he founded an orphanage for abandoned children and slaves and set up a health refuge for stray animals at his sister's house.

Martin was known for his intense prayer life and extreme penances. He was said to have been blessed with extraordinary gifts, including miraculous healing, bilocation (appearing in multiple places at once), levitation during prayer, and a strong rapport with animals. 

Martin de Porres died on November 3, 1639. He was beatified by Pope Gregory XVI in 1837 and canonized as a saint by Pope John XXIII on May 6, 1962. He was the first Black saint from the Americas to be canonized.

His feast day is celebrated annually on November 3. Pope John XXIII presented him as the "Saint of Universal Brotherhood". His legacy inspires people to seek social justice, humility, and compassion towards all beings. 

Prayer to Saint Martin 

Most humble St. Martin, whose burning charity embraces all, but especially those who are sick, afflicted, or in need, we turn to thee for help in our present difficulties and we implore thee to obtain for us from God health of soul and body, and in particular the favour we now ask … (pause to ask favours).
May we, by imitating thy charity and humility, find quiet and contentment all our days, and cheerful submission to God’s holy will in all the trials and difficulties of life. Amen.