Daily Meditation for November 6, 2026

In the early days of November (seems the records are unclear about the actual date of the saint’s death….it took some 300 years for him to be canonized) the calendar of saints lists St. Martin of Porres: A beloved biracial veterinarian, Dominican brother, healer and holy man of God who is the first black American Saint. Charming stories are told of his life, his struggle to be accepted as a Dominican Brother, a physician, a lover of the poor and all kinds of animals. Because he was black, he was assigned to humble tasks about the monastery in Peru and only after his abbot witnessed his holiness allowed him to formally make vows as a Dominican brother. He is usually pictured with a broom in hand, surrounded by animals. I wonder what symbol would be placed with me, if I would be a candidate for canonization? . . . and yours? Even as a child he tended injured animals and learned medicines and surgical procedures for healing. He is said to have often proclaimed, “I heal but God cures!”

By Judy Kramer, OSB