Martin de Porres

Who they were

Martin de Porres was the son of a Spanish knight, Juan de Porres, and Ana Velázquez, a freed Black woman from Panama; his father acknowledged him only years later. He grew up in Malambo, a poor quarter of Lima among impoverished Spaniards, Indians and enslaved Africans, and learned the healing use of plants. Being illegitimate, he could enter the Dominican convent only as a 'donado', housed in return for sweeping.

He put his healing gifts at the service of his brothers and of all the sick who came to the convent of the Rosary, and his fame spread through Lima. When the convent was in debt he offered to be sold as a slave to pay it. He cared especially for the farmworkers, Black people and those of mixed race, and the people called him 'Martín de la Caridad'. He died in 1639.

The miracles

The miracles examined for his causes are not described in the sources we have used.

Why that counted as sanctity

'The saint of the broom' served everyone, sick, poor and outcast, of every race, with a humble charity that won all hearts and was far ahead of its time.

Connected on this site

• Turibius of Mongrovejo Saint
  “He confirmed almost half a million people; these included Rose of Lima and Martin de Porres.” — Wikipedia