“Compassion is preferable to cleanliness. Reflect that with a little soap I can easily clean my bed covers, but even with a torrent of tears I would never wash from my soul the stain that my harshness toward the unfortunate would create.”
~ St. Martin de Porres
St. Martin de Porres adopted us in 2015. He proved to be a trusty intercessor, showing up in many unexpected places throughout the year. Our devotion to St. Martin de Porres grew that year and continues to permeate our spirutial journey. We are delighted to share a bit about this humble and charitable saint on his feastday, November 3.
St. Maritin de Porres greeting us at Mission San Jaun Bautista, the start of our 2015 Our Lady to Bethlehem Pilgrimage.
Dragonfly as St. Martin de Porres & Fr. A, FSSP
Saint Peg Doll Swap 2015 (with 60 moms)
(Not Pictured — St. Martin de Porres cabin that we were assigned at family camp May 2015)
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The example of Martin’s life is ample evidence that we can strive for holiness and salvation as Christ Jesus has shown us: first, by loving God “with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and second, by loving your neighbor as yourself.” When Martin had co
me to realize that Christ Jesus “suffered for us and that he carried our sins on his body to the cross, he would meditate with remarkable ardor and affection about Christ on the cross. He had an exceptional love for the great sacrament of the Eucharist and often spent long hours in prayer before the blessed sacrament. His desire was to receive the sacrament in Communion as often as he could. Saint Martin, always obedient and inspired by his divine teacher, dealt with his brothers and with that profound love which comes from pure faith and humility of spirit. He loved men and because he honestly looked on them as God’s children and as his own brothers and sisters. Suchwas his humility that he loved them even more than himself, and considered them to be better and more righteous than he was. He did not blame others for their shortcomings. Certain that he deserved more severe punishment forhis sins than others did, he would overlook their worst offenses. He was tireless in his efforts to reform the criminal, and he would sit up with the sick to bring them comfort. For the poor he would provide food, clothing and medicine. He did all he could to care for poor farmhands, blacks, and mulattoes who were looked down upon as slaves, the dregs of society in their time. Common people responded by calling him, “Martin the charitable.” He excused the faults of others. He forgave the bitterest injuries, convinced that he deserved much severer punishments on account of his own sins. He tried with all his might to redeem the guilty; lovingly he comforted the sick; he provided food, clothing and medicine for the poor; he helped, as best he could, farm laborers and Negroes, as well as mulattoes, who were looked upon at that time as akin to slaves: thus he deserved to be called by the name the people gave him: ‘Martin of Charity.’ It is remarkable how even today his influence can still move us toward the things of heaven. Sad to say, not all of us understand these spiritual values as well as we should, not do we give them a proper place in our lives. Many of us, in fact, strongly attracted by sin, may look upon these values as of little moment, even something of a nuisance, or we ignore them altogether. It is deeply rewarding for men striving for salvation to follow in Christ’s footsteps and to obey God’s commandments. If only everyone could learn this lesson from the example that Martin gave us. ~ from a homily by Blessed Pope John XXIII given at the canonization of Saint Martin de Porres
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In honor of our Family Patron Saint, we would like to giveaway a saint peg doll. See the Rafflecopter entry below.
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RESOURCES:
- St. Martin de Porres Coloring Page – Catholic Playground
- St. Martin de Porres Coloring Page – Paper Dali
- St. Martin de Porres Story & Craft PDF – Heroes in Heaven
- St. Martin de Porres Bio for Kids – Holy Spirit Interactive
- St. Martin de Porres Printable Holy Card – Holy Reflections
- St. Martin de Porres Audio – Dominicana Journal
- St. Martin de Porres Novena
- St. Martin de Porres in the Breviarium
- Dominican Friars: Province of Saint Martin de Porres
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Prayer to St. Martin de Porres
To you, Saint Martin de Porres, we prayerfully lift up our hearts filled with serene confidence and devotion. Mindful of your unbounded and helpful charity to all levels of society and also of your meekness and humility of heart, we offer our petitions to you. Pour out upon our families the precious gifts of your solicitous and generous intercession; show to the people of every race and every color the paths of unity and of justice; implore from our Father in heaven the coming of his kingdom, so that through mutual benevolence in God men may increase the fruits of grace and merit the rewards of eternal life. Amen.
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