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La Vida En Black History Month ‪#‎BlackHistoryIsGlobal‬

Wedensday February 4th’s feature is for the first black canonized Catholic Saint Martin de Porres. Born in Lima, Peru in 1579, St. Martin de Porres mother was a free black woman from Panama and his father was of Spanish Aristocracy. A 15 year old Martin became a lay brother at the Dominican Friary in Lima where he remained working for the rest of his life. His kindness was legendary, he performed a multitude of miracles during his lifetime including having such a way with animals it is said he had a dog, cat, bird, and mouse eating from the same plate.
St. Martin was known for his care of the sick. Miracles were consistently attributed to him where he also cared for the sick outside his convent, often healing the sick with only a simple glass of water. He ministered without distinction to Spanish nobles and to slaves recently brought from Africa. Once, An elderly beggar, covered with ulcers and practically naked, stretched out his hand, and Martin took him to his own bed. One of his brethren reproved him. Martin replied: “Compassion, my dear Brother, is preferable to cleanliness.”
He was canonized in 1962 by Pope John Paul 2, the first Black Saint from Latin America.