Feast
Day - November 03
First black American saint. He was born in
Lima, Peru in 1579. Illegitimate son of a
Spanish nobleman and a young freed Negro slave from Panama, he grew up in poverty. Spent
part of his youth with a surgeon-barber from whom he learned some medicine and care of the
sick.
At age 11 he took a job as servant in the
Dominican priory. Promoted to almoner, he begged more than $2,000 a week from the rich to
support the poor and sick of Lima. Placed in charge of the Dominican's infirmary; known
for his tender care of the sick and for his spectacular cures. His superiors dropped the
stipulation that "no black person may be received to the holy habit or profession of
our order" and Martin took vows as a Dominican brother.
Established an orphanage and children's
hospital for the poor children of the slums. Set up a shelter for the stray cats and dogs
and nursed them back to health. Lived in self-imposed austerity, never ate meat, fasted
continuously, and spent much time in prayer and meditation. Great devotion to the
Eucharist. He was venerated from the day of his death. Many miraculous cures, including
raising the dead attributed to Brother Martin.
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