November 3
Saints of the Day...and Events

St. Martin de Porres, 1579-1639, Martin of Charity; the Saint of the Broom (for his devotion to his work, no matter how menial
The Dominican brother from Lima who loved all: The sick, the poor, the rich, the animals... always working for all, the Saint of the Broom. First black American Saint.

     Illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a young freed black slave, 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 became a 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. Friend of Saint John de Massias.

    He was venerated from the day of his death. Many miraculous cures, including raising the dead attributed to Brother Martin. First black American Saint.
Born 9 December 1579 at Lima, Peru
Died 1639 of fever
Canonized 16 May 1962 by Pope John XXIII
Patronage African-Americans, against rats, barbers, bi-racial people, diocese of Biloxi, Mississippi, black people, hair stylists, hairdressers, hotel-keepers, innkeepers, inter-racial justice, mixed-race people, mulattoes, Negroes paupers, Peru, poor people, public education, public health, public schools, race relations, racial harmony, social justice, state schools, television
 
Commercial Links [2 books, 4 medals, 2 statues, 1 holy card]
Gallery of images of Saint Martin

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintm02.htm
 
Readings
The example of Martin's life is ample evidence that we can strive for holiness and salvation as Christ Jesus has shown us: first, by loving God "with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and second, by loving your neighbor as yourself."

When Martin had come to realize that Christ Jesus "suffered for us and that he carried our sins on his body to the cross, he would meditate with remarkable ardor and affection about Christ on the cross. He had an exceptional love for the great sacrament of the Eucharist and often spent long hours in prayer before the blessed sacrament. His desire was to receive the sacrament in Communion as often as he could.

Saint Martin, always obedient and inspired by his divine teacher, dealt with his brothers and with that profound love which comes from pure faith and humility of spirit. He loved men and because he honestly looked on them as God's children and as his own brothers and sisters. Such was his humility that he loved them even more than himself, and considered them to be better and more righteous than he was.

He did not blame others for their shortcomings. Certain that he deserved more severe punishment for his sins than others did, he would overlook their worst offenses. He was tireless in his efforts to reform the criminal, and he would sit up with the sick to bring them comfort. For the poor he would provide food, clothing and medicine. He did all he could to care for poor farmhands, blacks, and mulattoes who were looked down upon as slaves, the dregs of society in their time. Common people responded by calling him, "Martin the charitable."

He excused the faults of others. He forgave the bitterest injuries, convinced that he deserved much severer punishments on account of his own sins. He tried with all his might to redeem the guilty; lovingly he comforted the sick; he provided food, clothing and medicine for the poor; he helped, as best he could, farm laborers and Negroes, as well as mulattoes, who were looked upon at that time as akin to slaves: thus he deserved to be called by the name the people gave him: 'Martin of Charity.'

It is remarkable how even today his influence can still move us toward the things of heaven. Sad to say, not all of us understand these spiritual values as well as we should, not do we give them a proper place in our lives. Many of us, in fact, strongly attracted by sin, may look upon these values as of little moment, even something of a nuisance, or we ignore them altogether. It is deeply rewarding for men striving for salvation to follow in Christ's footsteps and to obey God's commandments. If only everyone could learn this lesson from the example that Martin gave us. from a homily by Blessed Pope John XXIII given at the canonization of Saint Martin de Porres
 

St. Malachy O'More, 1094-1148, Maol Maedoc; Malachy O'Morgair
The holy Archbishop of Ireland who prophesied about the Popes, there are only two Popes remaining after John Paul II.

    Archbishop in Armagh, Ireland at age 35, the chosen successor of Saint Cellach.

    Malachy replaced the Celtic liturgy (the "Stowe" missal) with the Roman liturgy in an effort to bring uniformity and discipline to the clergy and those in religious life. A miracle worker and healer, he sometimes cured people instantly by laying his hands upon them. Friend of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux who helped him establish the Cistercans in Ireland, wrote a biography of him, and sat with him as he died.

    One of Malachy's great claims to popular fame was his gift of prophesy. While in Rome in 1139 he received a vision showing him all the Popes from his day to the end of time. He wrote poetic descriptions of each of the pontiffs, presented the manuscript to Pope Innocent II - and it was forgotten until 1590. It has been in print - and hotly debated, both authenticity and correctness - ever since. According to these prophecies, there are only two Popes remaining after John Paul II.  St. Malachy Prophecies on the Popes   Last Pope
Born 1094 at Armagh, Ireland
Died 2 November 1148 at Clairvaux
Canonized 1190 by Pope Clement III; first papal canonization of an Irish saint
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintm25.htm

    Prophecies concerning the final five Popes:

    The words of the 108th prophesy are "Flos Florum" (Flower of Flowers). The 108th pope was Paul VI (1963-78). His coat of arms included three fleurs-de-lis (iris blossoms).

    The 109th is "De Medietate Lunae" (Of the Half Moon). The corresponding pope was John Paul I (1978-78), who was born in the diocese of Belluno (beautiful moon) and was baptized Albino Luciani (white light). He became pope on August 26, 1978, when the moon appeared exactly half full. It was in its waning phase. He died the following month, soon after an eclipse of the moon.

    The 110th is "De Labore Solis" (Of the Solar Eclipse, or, From the Toil of the Sun). The corresponding pope is John Paul II (1978-present). John Paul II was born on May 8, 1920 during an eclipse of the sun. Like the sun he came out of the East (Poland). Like the sun he has visited countries all around the globe while doing his work (he is the most-traveled pope in history). In the Garabandal Apparitions, Spain, John Paul II will be the last Pope.

    The 111th prophesy is "Gloria Olivae" (The Glory of the Olive). The Order of Saint Benedict has claimed that this pope will come from their ranks. Saint Benedict himself prophesied that before the end of the world his Order, known also as the Olivetans, will triumphantly lead the Catholic Church in its fight against evil.

    The 112th prophesy says: "In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman), who will feed his flock amid many tribulations; after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people. The End."

St. Malachy Prophecies on the Popes   Last Pope

Readings: Saint Bernard of Clairvaux advising Pope Eugenius III on handling his pontificate by emulating Malachy
 
- From the first day of his conversion to the last of his life he lived without personal possessions.
- He had neither manservants nor maidservants; nor villages nor hamlets; nor, in fact, any revenues, ecclesiastical or secular, even when he was bishop.
- There was nothing whatever assigned for his episcopal upkeep for he had not a house of his own. But he was always going about all the parishes, preaching the Gospel and living by the Gospel.... When he went out to preach he was accompanied by others on foot; bishop and legate that he was he too went on foot. That is the apostolic rule; and it is the more to be admired in Malachy because it is too rare in others....
- They lord it over the clergy--he made himself the servant of all.
- They either do not preach the Gospel and yet eat; or preach the Gospel in order to eat--Malachy imitating Paul, eats that he may preach the Gospel.
- They suppose that arrogance and gain are godliness--Malachy claims for himself by right only toil and a burden.
- They count themselves happy if they enlarge their borders--Malachy glories in enlarging charity.
- They gather into barns and fill the wine-jars that they may load their tables--Malachy foregathers men into deserts and solitudes that he may fill heaven.
- They though they receive tithes and first-fruits and oblations besides customs and tribute by the gift of Caesar and countless other revenues, nevertheless take counsel as to what they may eat and drink--Malachy having nothing enriches many out of the store- houses of faith.
- Of their desire and anxiety there is no end--Malachy, desiring nothing, knows not how to be solicitous for tomorrow.
- They exact from the poor that they may give to the rich--Malachy implores the rich to provide for the poor.
- They empty the purses of their subjects--he for their sins loads altars with vows and peace offerings.
- They build lofty palaces, raise towers and ramparts to the skies-- Malachy, not having whereon to lay his head, does the work of an evangelist.
- They ride on horses with a throng of men who eat bread for nought, and that is not theirs - Malachy girt around by a throng of holy brethren goes on foot bearing the bread of angels.
- They do not even know their congregation--he instructs them.
- They honor powerful men and tyrants--he punishes them.
- O apostolic man! whom so many and such striking signs of apostleship adorn. What wonder that he has wrought such wonder, being so great a wonder himself.

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