Dominican Lay Brother
Martin was illegitimate, the son of a Spanish grandee and of Anna Velasquez, a free negress of Lima. He apprenticed himself to a barber surgeon, then some years later he joined the Dominicans as a lay-helper. However his total dedication to the poor so impressed the monks that he was invited to become a lay-brother. In the daytime Martin's time was shared between working for his monastery as barber, gardener and counsellor and working in the community, nursing the sick and in particular caring for the poor, no matter of what colour or race they were. His cures seemed miraculous and his understanding of animals prodigious. His amazing powers were recognised by his order and they came to accept his spiritual direction. After his day's work, Martin would spend his nights in prayer and penance, sometimes accompanied by visions and ecstasies. Martin died aged 60 of a violent fever and immediately the people thronged to show their devotion to him. Cures were claimed at his tomb and a canonical inquiry into his life began in 1660. He was canonized by Pope John in 1962. His Dominican brethren had called him "father of charity": he had termed himself "mulatto dog". Martin was chosen as patron saint of race relations because of the caring spirit he showed to men of all races, serving them without counting the cost to himself.