Martín de Porres Velázquez OP (9 December 1579 – 3 November 1639) was a Peruvian lay brother of the Dominican Order who was beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI and canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII. He is the patron saint of mixed-race people, barbers, innkeepers, public health workers, all those seeking racial harmony, and animals.

Jun 18, 2024 · Here are eight black saints and holy people of God all Catholics should know about: 1) Saint Charles Lwanga Philip K, Flickr, Public Domain. Saint Charles Lwanga is a martyr and saint. He is one of 22 Ugandan martyrs.

Jun 22, 2020 · St. Martin de Porres was the first black saint of the Americas. He was born on December 9, 1579 in Lima, Peru, to Ana Velázquez—a young freed slave of Native Indian descent—and Don Juan de Porres of Burgos, a Spanish nobleman.

He was an Afro Peruvian patron saint. From Lima, Peru , he was often called Saint Martin of Charity and the Saint of the Broom (for his devotion to his work, no matter how menial). De Porres was the Illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed Black slave; he grew up in poverty.

Feb 24, 2009 · Born December 9, 1579 in Lima, Peru, St. Martin de Porres is best known for his charitable work. His piety allowed him access to the Dominican order of his country, and his acts of compassion for the sick became part of the justification for his canonization as the first black saint of the Americas.

Jul 28, 2016 · Black Catholic history can be traced to the Acts of the Apostles (8:26-40) when St. Philip the Deacon converted the Ethiopian eunuch – one of the first moves the Apostles made to evangelize outside Jerusalem and thus sow the seeds for the universal Church.

Although not of African descent, he became the patron saint of slaves, the Republic of Colombia and ministry to African Americans due to his devotion and care of enslaved people. During the 40 years of his ministry in Colombia, it is estimated he personally baptized around 300,000 people.

5 days ago · On Nov. 3, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Martin de Porres, a Peruvian Dominican brother who lived a life of humble service and charity and became the first black saint of the Americas.

Oct 24, 2018 · On Nov. 3 the Church celebrated the feast day of St. Martin de Porres, a Peruvian Dominican brother whose life of charity and devotion led to his canonization as the first black saint of the Americas.

Feb 12, 2022 · Canonized in 1962, St. Martin de Porres is the patron saint of mixed-race people, barbers, social justice and all those seeking racial harmony. Along with St. Benedict the Moor, St. Martin de Porres is also the patron saint of African-Americans.