Every November 3rd, the Church celebrates the memory of Saint Martin de Porres, one of the most beloved saints in Latin America and a shining example of humility, service, and love for God. Born in Lima in 1579, during a time of strong racial divisions, he was the son of a Spanish nobleman and a free black woman from Panama. Despite the difficulties and contempt he suffered because of his origin, Martin never held a grudge: he responded with meekness, work, and boundless charity.
Humility that overcomes injustice
In colonial Peru, skin color determined people’s destinies. Martin experienced rejection firsthand, but he did not allow resentment to dominate him. His life was a silent response to racism and inequality: he did not protest with words, but with works of mercy. While others complained about injustices, he healed, fed, consoled, and prayed.
The poor sought him out because they knew he would never reject them. The rich came to him because they saw a supernatural peace in his gaze. Martin did not distinguish between whites, blacks, Indians, or mestizos; for him, all were children of the same Father. That is why his charity was not just an act of compassion, but a profound affirmation of Christian truth: human dignity is born from God’s love.
The saint of the broom
The friars used to joke that Martin always had a broom in his hand. And rightly so: he spent long hours cleaning, sweeping, and organizing. But that broom, which many saw as a symbol of servitude, became an emblem of holiness. Martin taught that greatness lies not in being served, but in serving.
His service was not limited to the convent. In the streets of Lima, he was known for his generosity: he gathered beggars, cared for the sick, and fed abandoned animals. When someone asked him how he found time for everything, he replied with simplicity: “The Lord gives me the time, and He multiplies what is little.”
A charity that heals the soul
Martin did not only heal bodies, but also souls. His kind treatment, serene smile, and spirit of prayer transformed those who approached him. It was said that he could be in two places at once or that animals obeyed him, but his greatest miracle was his inexhaustible charity, capable of overcoming every form of division.
His life was a living embodiment of Christ’s commandment: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Jn 13, 35)
Legacy of a universal heart
Saint Martin de Porres died on November 3, 1639, at the age of 60, with a reputation for holiness. In 1962, Saint John XXIII canonized him, calling him “the humble son of the American race who knew how to open his heart to all.” Today, he is the patron of social justice, fraternity, and peace.
In a world that is once again dividing by race, ideology, or class, Saint Martin reminds us that true equality is born from Christian love. His life is an invitation to serve without expecting recognition, to look upon our neighbor with mercy, and to transform society through charity.