The EWTN Original Film ‘Saint Martin de Porres’ – The First Black Saint of the Americas – Airs This Week on EWTN!

By Michelle Laque Johnson

When the people of “the City of the Kings” (known today as Lima, Peru) were dying in record numbers from the plague, Martin de Porres, the great 17^th Century model of Christian love of neighbor, brought a sick man into the monastery. He was reprimanded by his superior who informed him that he had sinned; that they had no more room in the monastery. In the film, Martin sincerely apologizes, and then adds: “But I have not sinned because when charity obliges us, one must prefer it over obedience.”

Other published accounts have him saying: “Forgive my error, and please instruct me, for I did not know that the precept of obedience took precedence over that of charity.” Whatever the exact words, the sentiment is the same.

This is just one of the many amazing quotes attributed to the humble Dominican brother, who would one day be recognized as a saint – something that had to be obvious to the priests he served, even during his lifetime. But first, they had to see past his illegitimate birth to a Spanish nobleman and a freed slave. In fact, Martin, who was born in 1579 in Lima, Peru, was unable to join the order for that very reason. However, his examples of prayer and penance, charity and humility would eventually lead to his acceptance as a volunteer, and much later as a Third Order Dominican.

Learn more about the extraordinary and mystical life of this saint when the EWTN Original Movie “St. Martin de Porres,” airs at 8 p.m. ET, Saturday, Apr. 25, with an encore at 1:30 a.m. ET (10:30 p.m. PT), Monday, Apr. 27.

The two-hour film opens with the priests who will be investigating Martin’s cause for canonization. Although Martin had been buried for 25 years, when his grave was dug up the odor of sanctity (roses) was overwhelming.

As a young man, St. Martin was trained as a barber/surgeon, skills he would use as a volunteer for the Dominicans. Martin would become known for doing anything he was assigned to do with great joy. The humble brother had many gifts, including those of healing and bilocation, which often startled the priests in his order. During the film, St. Martin mistakenly purchases brown sugar for the monastery. After being scolded for this, St. Martin prayed and the sugar turned white. When praying, Martin often was surrounded by a brilliant light, and he was able to pass through locked doors to help the sick or dying. In the film, the priests often say to Martin, “No more miracles!”

Martin de Porres has the distinction of being the first black saint. Pope Gregory XVI beatified him in 1837 -- 198 years after his death on Nov. 3, 1639. Pope John XXIII canonized him in 1962, 333 years after his beatification.

In his own day, Martin was often called St. Martin of Charity, because his many acts of charity included the founding of a residence for orphans and abandoned children, and Saint of the Broom, because he swept up the monastery in which he lived with such joy.

He is the patron saint of mixed race people, barbers, innkeepers, public health workers, and all seeking racial harmony. In other words, he is a saint whose intercession is still much needed today.

You won’t want to miss the story of this saint who lived the humble life he was given in an extraordinary way!