The Story of St. Martin de Porres

Martin was born in Lima, Peru in 1579, the son of a Spanish nobleman and a Black Peruvian woman. Though his father was wealthy, he father never married his mother and abandoned them to live in poverty.

At age 12, his mother apprenticed him to a barber-surgeon. There he learned how to cut hair, draw blood (a standard medical treatment back then), care for wounds, and prepare and administer medicines.

A few years later, Martin applied to the Dominican Brothers to be a "lay helper", as he did not see himself to be worthy enough to be a religious Brother. After nine years of serving the Dominicans, Martin was invited to become an official religious Brother.

His nights were spent in prayer and penance, and his days were spent caring for the poor in the slums of Lima. Martin treated all people, regardless of color, race, or status. He helped start an orphanage and also took care of slaves brought over from Africa. His charity didnt stop at people, though. Martin felt God had called him serve all, including the animals.

Martin felt especially compassionate for the stray dogs and cats of Lima. He even started a hospital for sick dogs and cats in his sisters house where he nursed them back to health.

His love even extended to the vermin of the friary. When he heard they were going to be exterminated, he spoke to them and agreed to feed them every day if they would stay out of the friar. The vermin obeyed, and their lives were thus spared.

Martin was canonized on May 16, 1962 by Pope John XXIII. St Martin de Porres thus became the first Black saint of the Americas.

Almost all of the images of St. Martin de Porres depict him with a stray dog, cat, and a rat. He is an example to all on how we must love the least of our brothers, including Gods animals.

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