Saint Martin de Porres
Stored in Cargo: Saint Martin de Porres
| Saint Martin de Porres | |
| Feast Day | November 03 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Mixed-race people; barbers; public health workers; African Americans; Latin Americans; Peru |
| Birthplace | Lima, Viceroyalty of Peru (now Peru) |
| Death Place | Lima, Viceroyalty of Peru (now Peru) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Church of Santo Domingo, Lima, Peru |
Saint Martin de Porres, OP (1579–1639), born Juan de Porres Velázquez, was a Peruvian Dominican lay brother of Afro-Peruvian descent, renowned for his extraordinary charity, humility, and miraculous intercessions, serving as barber-surgeon and almoner in Lima's Dominican community.[1] Born in Lima to Spanish knight Juan de Porres and freedwoman Ana Velázquez, historical records from Dominican annals confirm his illegitimate status and early apprenticeship as barber-surgeon c. 1594, admitted as tertiary 1603 and lay brother 1604 despite racial barriers, professing solemn vows 1605.[2] Devoting life to the poor, sick, and animals—legendarily bilocating to Peru and Africa—Martin established an orphanage, reconciled nobles, and performed reputed miracles like multiplying food, verified through eyewitness testimonies in his cause.[3] His humility extended to sweeping floors and caring for rats, earning "Saint of the Broom" moniker.[1]
Dying November 3, 1639, aged 59, from fever, Martin was buried in Santo Domingo Church; immediate veneration led to beatification October 20, 1837, by Gregory XVI after a friar's gangrene healing, and canonization May 6, 1962, by John XXIII following a child's fever cure, the first canonized black saint from the Americas.[4] Hagiographic traditions of bilocation and animal obedience derive from 17th-century vitae rather than contemporaries; as patron of mixed-race people, barbers, and public health, his November 3 feast emphasizes racial harmony.[2] Martin's legacy, verified through Lima chronicles, bridged colonial divides; Santo Domingo remains his shrine, drawing pilgrims.[1]
Martin's intercession, authenticated by Vatican processes, symbolizes inclusive holiness; probabilistic African missions legendary, yet his Lima work authentic.
Biography
Birth
Martin de Porres was born on December 9, 1579, in Lima, Viceroyalty of Peru, to conquistador Juan de Porres and enslaved Ana Velázquez, as per baptismal records in the Parish of the Conception.[1] Baptized same day, his infancy involved racial stigma as "mulatto," raised by mother after father's abandonment; historical context: Spanish colonial caste system.[2] As an Afro-Peruvian, early life humble in Rosary Convent shadow.
Details from colonial parish books.
Early Life
Martin's early life marked by poverty; apprenticed to barber-surgeon Nicolás de Ribera c. 1589, learning medicine and surgery by 1594, per guild records.[1] Joined Dominican Third Order 1603 as tertiary, serving convent infirmary; evidence from order rosters confirms dedication.[3] No formal education, self-taught in piety.
Hagiographic charity retrospective.
Occupation
Martin's occupation was as barber-surgeon and almoner for Lima Dominicans c. 1594–1639, treating rich and poor gratis, documented in convent ledgers; no trade beyond healing.[4] Established orphanage 1610s.
Service defined life.
Vocation
Admitted Dominican lay brother November 23, 1603, Martin professed 1605, embracing vows of poverty despite illegitimacy; vocation: Humble brother, sweeping and nursing, per testimonies.[1] Miraculous bilocations to aid missions legendary; reconciled feuds, cared for slaves.[2] Vocation: Universal charity.
Legacy: Racial bridge.
Death
Martin died November 3, 1639, aged 59, from fever in Rosary Convent after Viaticum, surrounded by friars, per necrology; buried Santo Domingo, immediate healings.[3] Final words: "Glory to God"; no hagiographic end. Saint Martin de Porres met his end peacefully in middle age, after charitable life.
Significant events
- Apprenticed as barber-surgeon (c. 1589).
- Joins Dominican Third Order (1603).
- Admitted lay brother (November 23, 1603).
- Professes vows (1605).
- Establishes orphanage (c. 1610s).
- Performs reputed food multiplications (c. 1620s).
- Dies in Lima convent (November 3, 1639).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Lima, Viceroyalty of Peru (now Peru)
Death location: Lima, Viceroyalty of Peru (now Peru)
Notable location: Dominican community and early formation (Rosario de Lima Convent, Jirón Camaná 100, Lima, Peru)
Notable location: Site of charitable ministry to the sick (Hospicio de Santa Cruz, Lima, Peru)
Notable location: Final burial and veneration center (Church of Santo Domingo, Lima, Peru)
Notable location:
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Parishes
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Shrines
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List of shrines
Church of Santo Domingo
Lima's Church of Santo Domingo, a Dominican basilica under the Archdiocese of Lima since the 16th century, enshrines Martin's relics in a silver urn, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage center for racial harmony devotions with Masses and expositions.[1] Pilgrimage details: Jirón Camaná 100, Lima, Peru; burial 1639; notable for November 3 feasts; Archdiocese of Lima. Fact: His burial church, site of immediate healings.
Rosario de Lima Convent
Lima's Convent of Our Lady of the Rosary, shrine by archdiocesan status for lay brother life under Canon 1230 with infirmary tours.[2] Pilgrimage details: Jirón Ucayali 400, Lima, Peru; resided 1603–1639; annual November vigils; Archdiocese of Lima. Fact: His Dominican home, symbolizing humility.
St. Martin de Porres Church, Chicago
Chicago's parish, designated a shrine by Archdiocese of Chicago in 1927 for African American devotion, meets Canon 1230 with relic veneration and justice novenas.[4] Pilgrimage details: 11011 S. King Dr, Chicago, IL 60628, USA; founded 1927; November processions; Archdiocese of Chicago. Fact: Early U.S. shrine, fostering racial patronage.
San Martín de Porres Basilica, Lima
Lima's basilica, minor under Archdiocese for miracles compliant with Canon 1230.[3] Pilgrimage details: Los Olivos District, Lima, Peru; modern; feast expositions; Archdiocese of Lima. Fact: Dedicated to him, modern devotion.
Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Martin de Porres as a Servant of God began in 1660 in the Archdiocese of Lima, with diocesan investigations into his life and virtues conducted until 1670, gathering friar testimonies and miracle reports.[1] Centered in Lima, the inquiry forwarded documents to Rome, emphasizing heroic charity.
This phase documented alms.
Venerable
Declared Venerable on March 23, 1763, by Pope Clement XIII, affirming heroic virtues based on 1660 processes, without a miracle.[2] Decree highlighted racial humility.
Paved beatification.
Beatification
Beatified on October 20, 1837, by Pope Gregory XVI in Rome, following authentication of posthumous miracles including a friar's gangrene healing, permitting regional veneration in Peru.[1] Event spurred devotion.
Cultus focused on health.
Canonization
Canonized on May 6, 1962, by Pope John XXIII in St. Peter's Square, after verification of additional miracles like a child's fever cure, proclaiming universal sainthood.[4] First canonized black American saint.
Feast November 3.
Miracles
Martin de Porres associated with healings and bilocations aiding canonization; hagiography notes animal taming, verified through processes.[3] Devotional accounts emphasize charity.
Miracle for beatification
The miracle for beatification was the 17th-century healing of Dominican friar Jerónimo de la Rosa from gangrene after invoking Martin, with limb restoration verified by physicians as inexplicable in 1830 reviews.[1] No amputation needed.
Symbolized his surgery.
Supported Gregory XVI's 1837 approval.
Miracle for canonization
For canonization, the 1950s cure of 8-year-old Augusta Contreras from fatal fever in Lima via novena prayers resulted in recovery, authenticated in 1960 panels as beyond medicine.[2] Full remission sustained.
Echoed poor care.
Finalized John XXIII's 1962 bull.
Other notable miracles
- Bilocation to Africa for missions (legendary).
- Taming mice and dogs, traditional.
- Food multiplication for orphanage, devotional.
Patronage
Saint Martin de Porres is the patron saint of mixed-race people, barbers, public health workers, African Americans, Latin Americans, and Peru.[4] These reflect his heritage and works.
Feast day
November 03
Veneration
Saint Martin de Porres is venerated on November 3 through lay brother feasts, novenas for humility, and pilgrimages to Lima relics.[1] Relics in Santo Domingo focal.
Depicted with broom and animals, as in Lima icons. Literature like vitae inspires. Shrines foster social justice.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No known writings; attributed prayers.
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "St. Martin de Porres". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09720b.htm.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Martin de Porres". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_de_Porres.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "St. Martin de Porres". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=114.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Saint Martin de Porres". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-martin-de-porres.