walter-harper
Patron Saint of Mixed Races, Barbers, and many others.
St. Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru on December 9, 1579. Martin was the illegitimate son to a Spanish gentlemen and a freed slave from Panama, of African or possibly Native American descent. ...
November 3. Due to racial and social prejudices, Saint Martin de Porres might have grown to be a bitter man, but he did not. Instead, he turned to the needs of
Saint Martín de Porres (December 9, 1579 – November 3, 1639) was a Catholic monk of mixed raced from Peru and the first "black" person admitted to the Dominican Order. He became famous for his miraculous cures and service to the poor.
Because of his social station as a person of mixed blood, there were many times when he was ridiculed and debased. But Martin never retaliated. All of the insults and denigration aimed toward him were offered to God as sacrifice. It is said that his "profound and consummate humility was based on his knowledge of the greatness of God," and made him ever-aware of avoiding any form of pride. For example, Martin insisted upon wearing one habit until it disintegrated into mere threads and fibers, opposing attempts to buy him a second one.
