Saint Martin de Porres
Feast day: November 3
Peruvian Dominican lay brother of charity, patron of racial justice and the poor.
Juan Martin de Porres Velázquez was born on December 9, 1579, in Lima, son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed Afro-Peruvian woman.
He grew up in poverty and learned healing and barbering before entering the Dominican convent as a lay brother.
He devoted his life to the sick, the poor, and animals, with gifts of healing and bilocation attested by witnesses.
He died on November 3, 1639, in Lima, venerated by the people long before canonization.
Beatified in 1837 and canonized in 1962 by John XXIII. Liturgical feast: November 3.
Dedicated prayer
To the Peruvian Dominican saint, we ask humility, charity, and intercession for the poor and sick.
Read prayer →