Have among yourselves the same attitude
that is also yours in Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave . . . .
(Phil 2:5-7)
Martin de Porres (1579-1639) was the son of a Spanish conquistador and an African slave. He was born in Lima, Peru. In 1603, he made his solemn profession in the Dominican Convent of Our Lady of the Rosary, where he served as the infirmarian. He was called “Martin of the poor” and “Compassionate Father of the afflicted” because of his mercy towards the needy. My mom worked at Blessed Martin de Porres Hospital in Mobile, Alabama. When he was canonized in 1962, the Sisters of Mercy changed “Blessed” to “Saint.” The new letters were brighter than the rest that had weathered . . . so “SAINT” really stood out! Martin de Porres is the patron saint of Social Justice, of mixed-race people, barbers, innkeepers, public health workers, and all those seeking racial harmony.
Today’s photo is of the Hospital with Archbishop Thomas Toolen of Mobile, and Bishop Joseph Bowers of Ghana.
