The image of St. Martin de Porres will be enshrined at the Radio Veritas Chapel in Quezon City from October 25 to November 3 2017. His first relic “ex ossibus” from his bone will be available for public veneration on the day of his feast on November 3, from 11am to 2pm.
St. Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru on December 9, 1579. At a young age, Martin, his mother and his younger sister was abandoned by his father leaving them in deep poverty. After spending just two years in primary school, Martin was placed with a barber/surgeon where he would learn to cut hair and the medical arts.
As he grew older, he experienced a great deal of ridicule for being of mixed-race. In Peru, by law, all descendants of African or Indians were not allowed to become full members of religious orders. Martin, who spent long hours in prayer, found his only way into the community he longed for was to ask the Dominicans of Holy Rosary Priory in Lima to accept him as a volunteer who performed the most menial tasks in the monastery. In return, he would be allowed to wear the habit and live within the religious community.
Martin was praised for his unconditional care of all people, regardless of race or wealth. He took care of everyone from the Spanish nobles to the African slaves. Martin didn’t care if the person was diseased or dirty, he would welcome them into his own home.
Martin’s life reflected his great love for God and all of God’s gifts. It is said he had many extraordinary abilities, including aerial flights, bilocation, instant cures, miraculous knowledge, spiritual knowledge and an excellent relationship with animals. Martin also founded an orphanage for abandoned children and slaves and is known for raising dowry for young girls in short amounts of time.
Saint Martin de Porres is the Patron saint of mixed Race, Barbers, Public Health Workers and Innkeepers.
In the Philippines, Parañaque City District II and its parish is named after him as Baranggay San Martin de Porres, and San Martin de Porres Parish respectively. A church in the Diocese of Imus was also named after him. San Martin de Porres (SMD) Parish Church is located at Panapaan 6, Bacoor City and is considered as the second “mother parish” of Bacoor.
Devotees of Saint Martin de Porres may visit his image from 8:00am to 5:00pm at the Radio Veritas Chapel located at the second floor of Veritas Tower, 162 West Avenue cor EDSA in Quezon City. For inquiries, please call Ms. Renee Jose or Mr. Rey Isabela at (02) 925-7932 to 39 local 129.
Radio Veritas 846, the number one faith-based Radio in the Philippines, is owned and operated by the Archdiocese of Manila. Established in 1969, the Ramon Magsaysay recipient Catholic radio station continues to be the leading social communications ministry for truth and new evangelization in the country today.
