Aquinas Institute - Arete Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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Blessed Martin de Porres N December l9, l579 Martin de Porres, son of the Spanish Nobleman, Don luan de Porres and of the freed Panama Negress, Anna Velazguez was born in Lima, Peru, By a strange arrangement of Providence this child was baptized at the same font and by the same priest as was Saint Rose of Lima whom he so strikingly resembled in later years in his thirst for penance and suffering. Because little Martin inherited the color and features of his negro mother, the family was abandoned by the haughty Spanish nobleman who later provided the lad with a few years of schooling on hearing of the reputation he enjoyed because of his winning personality and the kindly courtesy with which he treated young and old, rich and poor. While but a child Martin determined to lose no opportunity for self-advance- ment since he realized that to be helpful to the needy, he must first learn the secret of being helpful. As an apprentice to a barbersphysician he gained a knowledge of bandaging and an insight into the medicinal gualities of herbs from which he compounded simple remedies for those financially unable to secure the aid of a skilled physiciang he learned whatever he could about horticulture and then planted trees by the wayside so that the poor could enjoy their shade and fruit in season. Regardless of the scolding or whipping that was sure to follow, he often returned from market with an empty basket having given the provisions for which his mother sent him to some poor hungry creature whom he met on the road. At the age of fifteen Martin entered the Dominican Order where as a humble lay brother he spent himself in relieving the sick and needy both within and without his convent home. After a crowded day he interrupted his few hours of rest for prayer and for penances the thought of which makes one shudder. During prayer his companions often observed him raised above the ground in ecstasy while his countenance shone with an other-world brilliance. To these occurrences as to his power of working miracles Martin was very sensitive and he tried as best he could to appear guite ordinary in every way. Martin was given the power of bi-location. Thus his thirst to further the work of the Missionaries was sated by Divine intervention. Although authentic records prove that he never left his native land, he visited the missionaries in lndia, l apan, Africa and the Philippine lslands. Like Saint Francis of Assisi he was a special friend of dumb animals, the most ferocious of which became gentle and submissive at his bidding. When the convent barn was infested by rats he played the role of Pied Piper but the parade, instead of terminating in a watery grave, resulted in a banquet for the rodents at which they were promised plenty of food for the future if they ceased to visit the community granary. Even rats must succumb to such kindness! There is an amusing story narrated in the life of Blessed Martin. At his bidding the convent dog and cat suffered a hungry mouse to eat from their dish unharmed. Lest our Arete become a biography of this interesting Mirror of Social lustice and Catholic Action, we invite the readers of this short sketch to continue the account of Blessed Martin in Father Kearns' Life of Blessed Martin or in the brochure, l'Meet Blessed Martin by The Reverend Norbert Georges, CP. who is the Community Promoter of the Cause of the Canonization of Blessed Martin de Porres. I 6

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31112 Cgquinas glnsiiixrte uf glfinrlqesier 1127 Pefueg Qshemxe Qfinzlqesier, Qi Wg. And so, as members of the Senior Class of the Aquinas Institute of Rochester, we join with the members of the Dominican order and with the numerous clients of Blessed Martin.throughout the world in praying that before the tercentenery year of his death has reached its fullness, this lowly exemplar of Social Justice may be elevated to Sainthood. There are some dark pages in achievement. Perhaps the darkest of slavery and the present social May it not be in the designs our country's glorious record of are those condition of an all- which present the story of the negro. , wise God that the negro race will secure its rightful status in the the mediation of Martin de Porres as the Patron Saint of Social Justice? Thus may the millions of American Negroes be rescued from the deadly talons of Communism and received within the True Fold where they will share with us the freedom purchased for all mankind upon the heights of Calvary! land of liberty through Prostrate in spirit before your throne we implore your Apostolic Benediction and beg to remain Your devoted children, The Members of the Glass of Nineteen Thirty-Nine of the Aquinas Institute of Rochester through Www Q. Martin A. Schnorr Editor-in-chief of the 1959 issue of the Arete

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HIS HOLINESS POPE PIUS XI I-Ie offered to God the sacrifice of his lite in behalf ot peace. His sacritice has been accepted. Queen ot Peace, obtain from thy Divine Son that we may behold the consequences! itiequiesnant in iBan:e! PATRICK JOSEPH 'HAYES Cardinal of Charity, presided at the dedication ot The Aquinas Institute on September 29, 1925. - I-le did not seek men, but men, be- cause they saw in him something that told ot another world, sought him. America. I 7