Saint Martin de Porres, Holy Name Cathedral Raleigh

"BLESSED MARTIN was a native of South America, Nov. 5 and was born at Lima, the capital of Peru, A.D. 1569. His father was a Spanish knight of noble birth, but his mother, though she belonged to one of the richest families of Panama, was of the despised coloured race. The child inherited her features and complexion, on which account his father conceived a dislike for him and turned him out of his house. From his tenderest years little Martin was distinguished for his spirit of piety and mortification. At the age of thirteen he already devoted part of the night to prayer and contemplation, gave away to the poor all the money that

Nov. 5 was bestowed upon him, and even deprived himself of his own food and clothing on their behalf. In order to be able to assist them more efficaciously, he studied medicine and surgery. He always exercised his art gratis, and God often rewarded his charity by marvellous and even miraculous cures.

When he was still young, Our Lady herself commanded him to enter the Dominican Order. In obedience to her will, he accordingly begged to be admitted into the Convent of the Holy Rosary in his native city. His birth, his talents, and above all, his reputation for sanctity, made the Fathers anxious to give him the habit of a choir religious, but he steadfastly refused even the lowly position of a lay brother, preferring to serve the Community in the yet humbler capacity of a Tertiary. Indeed, humility was ever his most distinguishing virtue, and he sincerely rejoiced when treated with scorn and contempt. He became the Infirmarian of the Convent, and, in fact, of all the poor of the city; and his charity specially displayed itself when a contagious disease struck down at the same time as many as sixty members of the Community. For months he allowed himself neither sleep nor food, his life being miraculously supported by Almighty God, for the sake of the sick whom he so charitably tended.

It was his duty to distribute daily to the poor the remains of the meals of the Community. When his stock of food was insufficient for the numbers who presented themselves, he would obtain its miraculous multiplication by his faithful and humble prayers, so that he had enough left for the poor who were ashamed to beg, to whom he sent relief by trusty messengers. His charity extended to every sort of human misery. Through the instrumentality of this humble religious, an immense orphanage was established in Lima, containing several hundred children of both sexes; Nov. 5 and to this were soon added other buildings to shelter foundlings, the sick poor, the aged, and penitents. In order that needy wayfarers might not be tempted to steal, he caused fruit-trees to be planted along the public roads to provide them with refreshment.

Even the dumb animals had their share in his compassionate tenderness, and seemed instinctively to know that he had constituted himself their physician and protector. When hurt or half-starved, they betook themselves to the Convent, where Blessed Martin always fed and nursed them; till at length his hospital for dogs, cats, and other suffering animals became so full, that he persuaded his sister to give them accommodation in her house, whither he went daily to feed them and dress their wounds. God gave His servant a wonderful power over these dumb creatures, so that they understood and obeyed him. He could not bear to see rats and mice destroyed, and would say: "If these poor little things were daily provided with food as we are, they would do no mischief." Then he commanded the creatures to withdraw to a remote part of the garden, whither he carried a supply of food for them every day; and their ravages in the Convent ceased. Even to the present time Blessed Martin continues to exercise his miraculous gifts with regard to the lower creation; he is constantly and efficaciously invoked to put a stop to the depredations of rats, mice, and other animals.

His burning love for his crucified Master, together with his zeal for souls and deep contrition of heart, found expression in the severest austerities. Thrice every night he afflicted his body with a terrible discipline, the third time receiving this penance at the hands of some of the Indian slaves attached to the service of the Convent; and to prolong the pain he would afterwards bathe the torn and wounded flesh with vinegar and salt, offering all these sufferings, after the example of his holy Patriarch, Saint Dominic, for his own sins, for the conversion of sinners, and for the relief of the souls in Purgatory. He fasted almost the whole year round on bread and water, spent the greater part of the night in prayer, and took his scanty rest in the Chapter-Room, on the bier used for the burial of the dead. So rigid was his poverty that he possessed nothing but a rosary and a crucifix; he had not even a change of clothes. His obedience was simply miraculous. He seemed to divine what was required of him; and over and over again Superiors, coming to give him some order, found him already in the act of executing it.

Priez pour les âmes du purgatoire, Brittany Museum

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"Oh, my friends, let us pray much, and let obtain many prayers from others, for the poor dead; the good God will render us back the good we do to them a hundredfold. Ah! if every one knew how useful this devotion to the holy souls in purgatory is to those who practice it, they would not be forgotten so often; the good God regards all that we do for them as if it were done to Himself."
-- St. John Mary Vianney (Blessed Sacrament Book, Fr. Francis X. Lasance)

"A DAY appointed for all Christians to unite in prayer for the souls of all the faithful departed, for their comfort and relief. Be not wanting in this charity. If you would but once seriously reflect how great are the sufferings in those purifying flames, that compassion which is due to the miserable, would oblige you to be most solicitous in bringing them relief. How can you think of so many souls, and among them, very likely, some of your parents, children, relations, or friends, so severely tormented, and that it is in your power daily to help them; and yet be unconcerned and cold in doing it? Is not this an argument of your want of faith, or charity? Help them therefore this day by your most fervent prayers. And every day join with the priest at the altar, in his memento for the dead. Condemn your neglect, if you know it not; and if you know it, let it be a daily summons to exercise your charity. Let the consideration of the divine justice on these souls oblige you to be watchful in avoiding those sins which are the fuel which feeds this fire. Do justice likewise on yourself in the voluntary punishment of your past sins; that so you may not fall under the justice of God. For if we judge ourselves, we shall not be judged. For this end, fail not at least to accept of those troubles which come from the hand of God, as his appointment, or permission. Bear them all with the holy dispositions of these pious souls, in patience and submission, confessing God to be just in all his ways, and merciful too in giving you opportunities of discharging your debts, both as to the guilt and punishment. The souls in hell resist the will of God; and the effect of their suffering is murmuring, rage, and despair. But these souls in purgatory, who wait for heaven, suffer with patience, submission, and peace; and the effect of their suffering is joy everlasting. Consider well which you are to admire and imitate while you are yet on earth." Source: The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother