Read entire reflection online >>> November 3: Saint Martin de Porres, Religious—Optional Memorial 1579–1639 Patron Saint of African-Americans, biracial people, barbers, innkeepers, the poor, Peru, public health workers, public schools, television, and interracial and social justice Canonized by Pope John XXIII on May 6, 1962 Liturgical Color: White Quote: Certain that he deserved more severe punishment for his 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. ~From the canonization homily of Saint John XXIII Prayer: Saint Martin de Porres, your poverty and rejection did not deter you from pursuing the love of God. Your love of God then filled you with many virtues and a deep love for God’s people. Pray for me, that I may learn humility from your life and will never waver in my commitment to prayer, so that God can do great things in me and through me for the world. Saint Martin de Porres, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: mycatholic.life Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed. Image from Lawrence OP, Flickr