St. Martin de Porres Folder 11/3

I want to be a Saint.  I want my husband and my daughter and my parents, and siblings to be Saints.  Don't you want to be a Saint too?  I'm trying daily to live a holy life that is pleasing to God. It's hard, and I'm not succeeding every day, but I think it's doable , and every morning I start anew!  This next Saint certinly inspires me.

St. Martin de Porres -- November 3

Coloring page hand drawn by Vee at Paper Dali, HERE.  Another coloring page from Faith Keepers CD  HERE.
Read more about this Saint HERE.
Prayer: 

Dear Jesus,

Give me a charitable heart,

a meek and humble heart,

just like St. Martin de Porres.

Martin was born at Lima in Peru.  His father was a Spanish knight and his mother was an Indian slave from Panama who had been set free. His father was ashamed of Martin because of his dark complexion. The father left the family to look out for themselves.  Martin's mother could not support Martin or his sister and they were sent to live at a primary school for two years.

Martin at 10 years old was placed with a surgeon to learn about the medical field and earn his living. He felt great joy while helping the sick. He also learned how to cure many diseases according to the practices of those days.  As a young boy, he spent time every night in prayer.

Martin grew holy, and decided to dedicate his life to God in a Dominican Convent.

Brother Martin soon proved to be a wonderful religious. No one was kinder or more obedient or holy. Before long, he began to work miracles, too. He was known to go through locked doors to help the sick. He was even seen in other countries helping the sick although he never left Lima all his life.

He cured so many sick people that everyone in the city of Lima would ask for Brother Martin when there was sickness. He would go to them all, regardless of their skin color.  He loved all people as his brothers and sisters in Christ.

When he took in an old beggar who was covered with ulcers and laid him on his own bed, one of the other brothers scolded him.  Martin told him that it was better to be kind than to be clean because you need only soap to wash off dirt.

Large amounts of money were given to this good, lovable Brother for his charities. People knew how well he could organize works of charity. His sister offered her house as a hospital for the sick when there was a plague in Lima.

This kind-hearted saint was also very good to animals. He excused the comings and goings of rats and mice by saying, "The poor little things don't have enough to eat." In his sister's house, he kept a home for stray cats and dogs too.

Although he was so famous in Lima, St. Martin always had a very humble opinion of himself. His name for himself was, in fact, "Brother Broom."   He was happy to sweep the floor and pray while doing so.

When Martin died on November 3, 1639, this beloved saint was carried to his tomb by bishops and noblemen who wanted to honor the humble and holy brother.

                                             St. Martin de Porres, pray for us ! 



Click on HERE to see a listing, in order, of all the Saints and Feast Day folders for the liturgical year, or click on the picture of the Archangels folder on my top right sidebar.

Also, Xhonane at Familia Catolica has a similar post HERE listing the liturgical folders she has made thus far, and she will add to it as well. Xhonane just posted yesterday about this Saint, HERE.