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Martin de Porres

“St. Martin de Porres” and “ Martin de Porres” cleaning.[4] After eight years at Holy Rosary, the redirect here. For other uses, see St. Martin de Porres Juan de Lorenzana, decided to turn a blind eye to the law (disambiguation). and permit Martin to take his vows as a member of the Third Order of . Holy Rosary was home to 300 men, not all of whom were as open-minded as De Martin de Porres, O.P. (December 9, 1579 – Novem- ber 3, 1639), was a lay of the Dominican Or- Lorenzana; one of the novices called Martin a “ dog,” while one of the priests mocked him for being ille- der who was beatified in 1837 by Gregory XVI and [5] canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII. He is the patron gitimate and descended from slaves. saint of mixed-race people and all those seeking interra- When de Porres was 24, he was allowed to profess cial harmony. as a Dominican lay brother in 1603. He is He was noted for work on behalf of the poor, establish- said to have several times refused this elevation in status, which may have come about due to his father’s interven- ing an orphanage and a children’s . He maintained [1] an austere lifestyle, which included and abstaining tion, and he never became a priest. It is said that when from meat. Among the many miracles attributed to him his was in debt, he implored them: “I am only were those of , , miraculous knowl- a poor mulatto, sell me.” Martin was deeply attached to edge, instantaneous cures, and an ability to communicate the , and he was praying in front of it with animals. one night when the step of the altar he was kneeling on caught fire. Throughout all the confusion and chaos that followed, he remained where he was, unaware of what was happening around him.[6] 1 Early life

Juan Martin de Porres was born in the city of , in the Viceroyalty of , on December 9, 1579. He was the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman, Don Juan de Porres, and Ana Velázquez, a freed slave from Panama, of African or possibly part Native American descent.[1][2] He had a sister named Juana, born two years later in 1581. After the birth of his sister, the father abandoned the family.[3] Ana Velázquez supported her children by tak- ing in laundry.[4] He grew up in poverty and, when his mother could not support him, Martin was confided to a primary school for two years, and then placed with a bar- ber/surgeon to learn the medical arts.[2] He spent hours of the night in prayer, a practice which increased as he grew older. A mid-twentieth century stained glass representation of Martin de Porres in St Pancras Church, Ipswich with a broom, rosary, By law in Peru, descendants of Africans and Indians were parrot and monkey barred from becoming full members of religious orders. The only route open to Martin was to ask the Dominicans When de Porres was 34, after he had been given the of Holy Rosary Priory in Lima to accept him as a donado, of a lay brother, Martin was assigned to a volunteer who performed menial tasks in the monastery the infirmary, where he was placed in charge and would in return for the privilege of wearing the habit and living [5] remain in service until his death at the age of 59. He was with the religious community. At the age of 15 he asked known for his care of the sick.[2] His superiors saw in for admission to the Dominican Convent of the Rosary in him the virtues necessary to exercise unfailing patience Lima and was received first as a servant boy, and as his in this difficult role. It was not long before miracles were duties grew he was promoted to . attributed to him. Saint Martin also cared for the sick out- Martin continued to practice his old trades of barber- side his convent, often bringing them healing with only ing and healing and performed many, many miracu- a simple glass of water. He ministered without distinc- lous cures. He also took on kitchen work, laundry, and tion to Spanish nobles and to slaves recently brought from

1 2 2 DEATH AND COMMEMORATION

Africa.[1] One day an aged beggar, covered with ulcers and almost naked, stretched out his hand, and Martin took him to his own bed. One of his brethren reproved him. Martin replied: “Compassion, my dear Brother, is prefer- able to cleanliness.” When an epidemic struck Lima, there were in this single Convent of the Rosary sixty who were sick, many of them novices in a distant and locked section of the con- vent, separated from the professed. Martin is said to have passed through the locked doors to care for them, a phe- nomenon which was reported in the residence more than once. The professed, too, saw him suddenly beside them without the doors having been opened. Martin continued to transport the sick to the convent until the Provincial Su- perior, alarmed by the contagion threatening the friars, San Martin de Porres in Laredo, Texas forbade him to continue to do so. His sister, who lived in the country, offered her house to lodge those whom the residence of the religious could not hold. One day he found on the street a poor Indian, bleeding to death from a dagger wound, and took him to his own room until he could transport him to his sister’s hospice. The prior, when he heard of this, reprimanded de Porres for disobe- dience. He was extremely edified, however, by his reply: “Forgive my error, and please instruct me, for I did not know that the precept of obedience took precedence over that of charity.[7] The prior gave him liberty thereafter to follow his inspirations in the exercise of mercy. De Porres did not eat meat. He begged for alms to pro- cure necessities the convent could not provide.[7] In nor- mal times, Martin succeeded with his alms to feed 160 St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Jensen Beach, Florida poor persons every day, and distributed a remarkable sum of money every week to the indigent. Side by side with his daily work in the kitchen, laundry and infirmary, Martin’s life is said to have reflected extraordinary gifts: ecstasies that lifted him into the air, light filling the room where he prayed, bilocation, miraculous knowledge, instantaneous cures and a remarkable rapport with animals.[3] De Porres founded a residence for orphans and aban- doned children in the city of Lima.[3]

2 Death and commemoration

De Porres was a friend of both St. Juan Macías, a fel- low Dominican lay brother, and St. , a lay St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Ho Chi Minh City, Dominican. By the time he died, on November 3, 1639, Vietnam he had won the affection and respect of many of his fel- low Dominicans as well as a host of people outside the priory.[5] Word of his miracles had made him known as his body was exhumed after 25 years and said to be a saint throughout the region. As his body was displayed found intact, and exhaling a fine fragrance. Letters to to allow the people of the city to pay their respects, each Rome pleaded for his beatification; the decree affirming person snipped a tiny piece of his habit to keep as a relic. the heroism of his virtues was issued in 1763 by Pope It is said that three habits were taken from the body. His Clement XIII. body was then interred in the grounds of the monastery. Pope Gregory XVI beatified Martin de Porres in 1837, After De Porres died, the miracles and graces received and nearly 125 years later, Pope John XXIII canonized when he was invoked multiplied in such profusion that him in Rome on 6 May 1962. He is the of 3

people of mixed race, and of innkeepers, barbers, public and Un mulato llamado Martin (A mulatto called Martin) health workers and more, with a feast day on 3 November. (1975).[12] De Porres is also commemorated in the Calendar of In the Moone Boy episode “Godfellas”, the character of the on 3 November. Martin Moon is shown to be named by his grandfather after San Martin De Porres. Humorously, his grandfa- He is recognised as Papa Candelo in the Afro-Caribbean- Catholic syncretist religion of Santería, which is practised ther is unable to actually remember any of San Martin’s accomplishments, and simply refers to him as “One of the in places where culture thrives such as , the , , the United black ones” when asked about him. States, and De Porres’ native Peru. 6 See also

3 Iconography • Saint Martin de Porres (sculpture) by Father Thomas McGlynn Martin de Porres is often depicted as a young mulatto wearing the old habit of the Dominican lay brother, a black and capuce, along with a broom, since he 7 References considered all work to be sacred no matter how menial. He is sometimes shown with a dog, a cat and a mouse [1] “Martin Porres”, Encyclopedia of World Biography eating in peace from the same dish. [2] “St. Martin de Porres, the first black saint in the Ameri- cas", African American Registry.] [3] Foley OFM, Leonard, “St. Martin de Porres”, Saint of the 4 Legacy Day, Lives, Lessons, and Feast, (revised by Pat McCloskey OFM), Franciscan Media, ISBN 978-0-861716-887-7 De Porres’ sometimes defiant attachment to the ideal of [4] Fullerton MLIS, Anne, “Who was St. Martin de Porres?", social justice achieved deep resonance in a church at- St. martin de Porres School, Oakland, CA tempting to carry forward that ideal in today’s modern [5] Craughwell, Thomas J., “Patron Saints for Modern Chal- world.[1] lenges”, St. Anthony Messenger, American Catholic Today, de Porres is commemorated by, among other [6] Biography in “The Saint Martin De Porres Prayer Book”, things, a school building that houses the medical, nursing, p147-152 and rehabilitation science schools of the Dominican University of Santo Tomas in the . A pro- [7] Granger O.P., Fr. Arthur M., Vie du Bienheureux Martin gramme of work is also named after him at the Las Casas de Porrès, Dominican Press: St. Hyacinthe, 1941 [8] Institute at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford. He [8] Las Casas Institute at Blackfriars Hall website is also the titular saint of the parish of St. Martin de Por- res in Poughkeepsie, NY,[9] St. Martin de Porres Marian- [9] St. Martin de Porres Parish ist elementary school in Uniondale, NY and St. Martin de [10] Smithsonian Folkways Porres Catholic elementary school in Scarborough, ON, [11] Fray Escoba at the Internet Movie Database Canada. A number of Catholic churches are named after him. [12] Un mulato llamado Martín at the Internet Movie Database

5 In popular culture 8 External links • St. Martin de Porres website and image In the 1980 novel A Confederacy of Dunces, Ignatius Reilly contemplates praying to Porres for aid in bringing • Saint of the Day, November 3: Martin de Porres social justice to the black workers at the New Orleans • Prayer for the intercession of St. Martin de Porres factory where he works. In music, the first track of jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams's album Black Christ of the • Order of Preachers: Southern Dominican Province Andes is titled “St. Martin De Porres.”[10] of St. Martin de Porres There are several Spanish and Mexican works regarding • St. Martin de Porres & Institute • Memphis, his life in cinema and television, starring Cuban actor Tennessee Rene Muñoz, the most of them referring to his mulatto • St. Martin De Porres, First Black Saint Of The origin, his miracles and his life of humilty. The most Americas, Celebrated Nov. 3 known movies are Fray Escoba (Friar Broom) (1963)[11] 4 9 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

9 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

9.1 Text

• Martin de Porres Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_de_Porres?oldid=630855977 Contributors: William M. Connolley, Kaihsu, JASpencer, Freechild, Cleduc, Kenatipo, AnonMoos, Chocolateboy, Snow, Dominick, Neilc, Andycjp, Necrothesp, Kle- men Kocjancic, Deeceevoice, D6, Discospinster, Rich Farmbrough, Closeapple, Andreas Herzog, DS1953, Circeus, Polylerus, Caerulean- centaur, Nsaa, Patsw, Alansohn, JoaoRicardo, Melaen, Vanished user j123kmqwfk56jd, Spartacus007, Dr Gangrene, Woohookitty, FeanorStar7, WadeSimMiser, Hreid, Hailey C. Shannon, Huhsunqu, ArCgon, Pypex, Cuchullain, BD2412, Jweiss11, Musical Linguist, Jaraalbe, Dstrozzi, YurikBot, Adamhauner, Briaboru, Pigman, Paczilla007, Gian89, Mlouns, Bota47, Iubilus, Newagelink, Shyam, T. An- thony, Nathos, Crystallina, KnightRider, SmackBot, KnowledgeOfSelf, Yamaguchi, Skizzik, Carl.bunderson, Rmosler2100, Chris the speller, Bluebot, Oldstylecharm, Kemet, Chlewbot, Mayank Abhishek, RolandR, Wideangle, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, John, Murcielago, James.S, Funboy01, TwistOfCain, Solis in Australia, Charangito, Billy Hathorn, Angeldeb82, Fetofsbot2, AlbertSM, Jcaragonv, Joshualeefreeman, Cydebot, Aristophanes68, Evogol, Energyfreezer, Mattisse, Thijs!bot, Epbr123, Missvain, Basement12, Hmrox, Fred- diem, Fayenatic london, Gonzakun, AubreyEllenShomo, JAnDbot, Magioladitis, VoABot II, Alekjds, DerHexer, BaomoVW, Fconaway, J.delanoy, Eliz81, Fraternity of Saint Dominic 18, Michaelabril, Bewareofdog, Clariosophic, Mxmsj, SoCalSuperEagle, VolkovBot, ABF, Jennavecia, Soliloquial, TXiKiBoT, Oshwah, Rei-bot, Miguel Chong, Alicelth, Qxz, John Carter, Eubulides, Lilazngansta, RaseaC, Rednot- dead, Logan, SieBot, Ttony21, WereSpielChequers, Trigaranus, Philly jawn, Tesi1700, Martarius, ClueBot, Foxj, The Thing That Should Not Be, Polyamorph, Niceguyedc, KC109, Urbanchampion, 1280, Briarfallen, Aitias, Versus22, Apparition11, Esther- Lois, Reaster, SwirlBoy39, NellieBly, Addbot, Ronhjones, Vishnava, LaaknorBot, Favonian, Tide rolls, Lightbot, Drpickem, Luckas-bot, Yobot, Legobot II, II MusLiM HyBRiD II, THEN WHO WAS PHONE?, Samtar, Roltz, AnomieBOT, Baraqa1, ArthurBot, Xqbot, Ja- yarathina, Capricorn42, Dego123, Quintus314, RibotBOT, A.amitkumar, D'ohBot, DrilBot, Fannybyrd, RedBot, MertyWiki, TobeBot, Dinamik-bot, Gwdihu, Daniel the Monk, RjwilmsiBot, Pinkbeast, WikitanvirBot, Tommy2010, Wikipelli, HiW-Bot, ZéroBot, John Cline, Kiwi128, Willthacheerleader18, CBcleaner, ClueBot NG, Gareth Griffith-Jones, FriarCombs, Mannanan51, Widr, WikiPuppies, BG19bot, Vagobot, Mrt3366, Webclient101, Lugia2453, VIAFbot, Jamesx12345, JaconaFrere, BethNaught, DeaconJoe and Anonymous: 233

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• File:Commons-logo.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: ? Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Flag_of_Peru.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Flag_of_Peru.svg License: Public domain Contrib- utors: Peru Original artist: Benbennick • File:Gloriole_blur.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Gloriole_blur.svg License: Public domain Contrib- utors: Own work Original artist: Eubulides • File:Martin_of_porres.jpeg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Martin_of_porres.jpeg License: CC-BY- SA-3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: User:JASpencer • File:Matino_Church_Saigon.JPG Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Matino_Church_Saigon.JPG Li- cense: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Tran The Vinh • File:P_christianity.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/P_christianity.svg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Con- tributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Question_book-new.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/Question_book-new.svg License: ? Contributors: Created from scratch in Adobe Illustrator. Based on Image:Question book.png created by User:Equazcion Original artist: Tkgd2007 • File:Revised_San_Martin_de_Porres_Catholic_Church,_Laredo,_TX_IMG_1048.JPG Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/ wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Revised_San_Martin_de_Porres_Catholic_Church%2C_Laredo%2C_TX_IMG_1048.JPG License: CC-BY- SA-3.0 Contributors: Transferred from en.wikipedia Original artist: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia • File:St._Martin_de_Porres_Catholic_Church,_Jensen_Beach-_front_(west)_elevation.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/ wikipedia/commons/8/82/St._Martin_de_Porres_Catholic_Church%2C_Jensen_Beach-_front_%28west%29_elevation.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Stephen B Calvert Clariosophic

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