November 3 Celebration of Saints

November 3 Celebration of Saints

Saint Martin of Porres

Peruvian Dominican lay brother Saint Martin of Porres Velázquez, O.P. was born on December 9, 1579 in Lima, Peru to a Spanish nobleman and a former black slave.

As a teen, Martin asked the Dominicans of Holy Rosary Priory in Lima to admit him as a donado, a volunteer who performs tasks in the monastery who can wear the religious habit and live in the community.

In 1594, at the age of 15, he was accepted as a servant by the Dominican Convent of the Holy Rosary in Lima. His duties there grew and he became the almoner, the person who distributes alms to the poor.

When he was a young man Peruvian law prohibited indigenous peoples and those of African descent from becoming full members of religious orders. 

But after serving eight years at the Holy Rosary, its Prior Juan de Lorenzana ignored the law and permitted Martin to take his vows to the Third Order of Saint Dominic.

Martin preached to people of all statuses, from newly arrived slaves to the Spanish nobility. He would beg for alms for the poor and would often collect enough to feed more than 100 and distribute additional money to the needy.

He was said to have gifts of levitation, bilocation, instantaneous cures and to be able to communicate with animals.

And in addition to his other accomplishments, Martin established a home in Lima for abandoned children and orphans.

Martin of Porres died at the age of 59 on November 3, 1639 in Lima, Peru. His body was interred on the grounds of the monastery.

Read more about Saint Martin of Porres. 

Other Saints for Today

Other saints for this day include:

Saint Acepsimas, Saint Cristiolus, Saint Domnus of Vienne, Saint Elerius, Saint Englatius, Saint Florus, Saint Germanus, Saint Guenhael, Saint Hermengaudis, Saint Hubert, Saint Malachy, Saint Papulus, Saint Peter Francis Neron, Saint Pirmin, Saint Quaratus, Saints Valentine and Hilary, Saint Valentinian, Saint Vulganius and Saint Winifred.