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Martin de Porres: A Saint of the Americas (15 Days of Prayer)

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Brian J. Pierce adeptly wrote a very compelling and inspiring biography of Martin De Porres that can connect with modern times. Martin De Porres was a black-skinned Peruvian saint who had to endure ungodly discrimination centuries ago. He was tenably one of the most humane and compassionate individuals to ever grace the earth. His charity was boundless and he aided the rich, the poor, fellow Dominicans, outcasts, slaves, prisoners, dogs, cats,birds, mice, chickens, bulls, calves and insects. Known as the apostle of charity and patron of social justice, Martin De Porres was a benevolent pacifist who never harmed any person or animal. He refused to eat flesh-food because the slaughtered animals were creatures of God. He was also known as a miraculous healer who performed many miracles. Pierce does a great job via mitigating some of the supernatural attributes that Martin De Porres reportedly had. When I finished this book I concluded that Martin De Porres was a spiritual ancestor and peer to Albert Schweitzer, Mahatma Gandhi, Cesar Chavez and Dick Gregory(specifically Gregory's vegetarianism). A very uplifting and solacing book for readers of all ages and faiths.

"Martin de Porres: A Saint of the Americas" is a portrait of the life of the saint. Obviously, approximately 100 pages is far from thorough, but this is still an enlightening read. Perhaps the only disappointment a reader may have is that this book is more a devotional than a biography. Each of the 15 chapters is constructed with a topic focus, a story focusing on some aspect of Martin de Porres, and reflection question. Without knowing this, some readers may be disappointed in their purchase.

In the 15th century, Europe was colonizing the Americas and creating many of the same conflicts in South American that are printed in American history textbooks. Martin de Porres is the son of a freed African slave and a Spanish hidalgo (Christian warrior). Before reaching adulthood, he was largely abandon by both parents. If these circumstances were not enough to make him an orphan, he was a child from the two cultures from ouside Peru. Needless to say, these outisde cultures were not popular. Subjected to prejudice, he gave his life to God. To view the stories of his life as simplistic is to overlook their beauty. The author does a tremendous job of presented the stories in the proper context.

Martin de Porres is not known for great miracles or groundbreaking doctrine. His sainthood is a reminder to those in the 21st century that even the smallest act of love in ordinary things daily is the work of the Lord. If readers take nothing else from this book, Martin de Porres would be pleased.