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     St. Martin de Porres is the patron saint of those who work for social justice, especially in the area of racial discrimination and care of the poor.  At this particular moment in the life of the U.S.A., his intercession is sorely needed.  Recent events and subsequent civil unrest have laid bare what has been a heritage of racial discrimination dating back to the very beginnings of the nation.  Martin was born into a 16yh-17th century society in Lima, Peru, that was rigidly layered.  His father was a Spanish soldier and his mother an emancipated African slave woman.  This relegated him toward the bottom of the social layers.  His father had him trained as a barber/physician and then placed him with the Dominican priory in Lima, Peru.  There he became the "porter" - in charge of greeting visitors at the front door of the priory.  He dealt with all walks of society but was famous for caring for the poor in whatever way he could.  He literally lived in a closet at the foot of the stairs just inside the front door of the priory.  He is portrayed in his statues with a broom and with mice at his feet because he supposedly made a deal with them that if they stayed outside, he would feed them!!!

     The scriptures assigned in the Roman calendar for this feast are different from the ones we Dominicans are likely to use, but the passage from Philippians speaks of what theologians called "kenosis," the self-emptyting" of Christ in becoming human - literally a "slave."  Martin's example of self-emptying in his care for poor and rich alike at the front door of the priory remains a model for all of us, but especially for us Dominicans.  He is the patron saint of the Southern Dominican province, to which I belong.

     In this time of racial tension, with a pandemic and the divisive noises of the election, we can pray for the powerful intercession of St. Martin de Porres to help us find a way forward to a more just and caring society in our nation.  AMEN