Monday, November 3rd, 2008
Daily Archive
Saint Martin de Porres (1579-1639)
Posted by Fr. Aquinas on 03 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Dominican Saints, Liturgical Feasts
Let us proclaim the greatness of the Lord who with heavenly gifts has raised up Martin, his humble servant.
From the Dominican Ordo:
Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru, in 1579 of John, a Spanish nobleman, and Anna Velasquez, a freed slave. As a boy he studied medicine which later, as a member of the Order, he put to good use in helping the poor. Martin was received as a servant at the priory of the Holy Rosary in Lima where he was finally admitted to profession as a co-operator brother in 1603. In his life of prayer Martin was especially devoted to the Blessed Sacrament and to the passion of our Lord. He was noted for his care of the poor and the sick. He died at Lima on November 3, 1639.
For today’s Office of Readings, the Dominican Ordo offers several options for the second lesson, including this excerpt from Blessed Humbert of Romans’ commentary on Dominican life, On Regular Observance. Here Humbert reflects on the fuga mundi, the flight from the world, which as a religious served as the foundation of Martin’s relationship with Christ.
To more perfectly reach the end you desire, [dear brothers], consider carefully to what you have come in leaving the world.
Break your wills and realize that you are dead to the world.
Cast from your hearts idle thoughts, unworthy affections, bad intentions, violent actions, useless sadness, self-centered love, and individual feelings. Before the eyes of God be fearful of such thoughts, which you would blush to carry into action before human eyes.