Apostleship of Prayer - Saints
November 3 - Martin de Porres
Martin de Porres was born in Lima in the year 1579. He was the son of a Spanish nobleman and a coloured woman. Martin could have become a bitter man but he did not. Through his studies he became a dispensing chemist. After nine years filled with working as lay helper for the Dominicans he was invited to join the Dominican Order or the Order of St Dominic. He became a Brother. He would spend many hours at night in prayer which sometimes were accompanied by visions and esctasies.
He was able to use his pharmaceutical knowledge to improve the health of the poor. He treated all people regardless of their race colour or social standing. His cures seemed miraculous.
Martin was blessed with many extraordinary gifts: ecstasies, elevations, bilocation, instantaneous cures and a remarkable control over animals. Many religious took him as their spiritual director. His advice was sought by many people especially those in high places in society.
He himself lived an extremely simple and austere life and had a great devotion to the Eucharist. He died in the year 1639. Today he the patrom saint of Social Justice.
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