On my A-list Rolodex of saints is St. Martin de Porres. Born in the 16th century in Peru, he was abandoned by his father and endured discrimination on account of his being mixed-race. He was not permitted orders initially with the Dominicans, but was accepted as a volunteer to perform menial tasks around the monastery.
I have admired St. Martin since I became Catholic for his meekness, patience, and care for the poor and sick. In our family we try to emulate and learn from his charity and generosity, which he exercised with great abandonment. He accepted poverty for himself, but whenever he received any sum of money or goods, he immediately gave it to those in need, sometimes getting a beating for it in exchange for being so "reckless."
We have a relic of St. Martin which we recently lent to a friend who faced a strange but potentially life-threatening infection in her thumb. The doctors, our friend's husband informed us, were sure the infection was bad enough that it would require amputation. She abandoned herself to St. Martin and prayed with the relic over her thumb, and her husband did as well. We prayed at home for the glorious servant's intercession as well.
Wouldn't you know, the husband texted me not long after, saying that the techs at the doctor's office said her hand was healing so well they thought they were witnessing a miracle. The wife brought the relic to the office and showed it to the staff. Her thumb has now almost completely healed. A miracle of faith, in our minds at least.
Deo Gratias, glorious servant St. Martin de Porres!
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