Imitatio Christi in Action: Saint Martin de Porres as a Model for Holiness
The inspirational example of St. Martin demonstrates how we can strive for holiness and salvation by following Christ's teachings: loving God wholeheartedly and loving our neighbor selflessly. His deep devotion to Christ fueled his compassion. Contemplating Christ's passion moved Martin to tears, and his fervent love for the Eucharist led him to spend long hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Martin selflessly loved others, considering them better than himself and overlooking their faults. He tirelessly aided the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, and the marginalized. His humble spirituality and virtuous example drew many people to faith. Sadly, not everyone values spiritual principles properly. But Martin's legacy reminds us that following Christ's Word by loving God and neighbor leads to rich blessings. Striving for salvation as Martin did is deeply rewarding. His inspirational life shows us the beauty of holiness attained through imitating Christ.
Pope John XXIII's sermon at the canonization of St Martin de Porres
Martin the Charitable
The example of Martin’s life is ample evidence that we can strive for holiness and salvation as Christ Jesus has shown us: first, by loving God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind; and second, by loving our neighbors as ourselves.
When Martin had come to realize that Christ Jesus suffered for us and that he carried our sins on his body to the cross, he would meditate with remarkable ardor and affection about Christ on the cross. Whenever he would contemplate Christ’s terrible torture he would be reduced to tears. He had an exceptional love for the great sacrament of the eucharist and often spent long hours in prayer before the blessed sacrament. His desire was to receive the sacrament in communion as often as he could.
Saint Martin, always obedient and inspired by his divine teacher, dealt with his brothers with that profound love which comes from pure faith and humility of spirit. He loved men because he honestly looked on them as God’s children and as his own brothers and sisters. Such was his humility that he loved them even more than himself and considered them to be better and more righteous than he was.
He did not blame others for their shortcomings. Certain that he deserved more severe punishment for his sins than others did, he would overlook their worst offences. He was tireless in his efforts to reform the criminal, and he would sit up with the sick to bring them comfort. For the poor he would provide food, clothing and medicine. He did all he could to care for poor farmhands, blacks and [multi-racial people] who were looked down upon as slaves, the dregs of society in their time. Common people responded by calling him “Martin the charitable.”
The virtuous example and even the conversation of this saintly man exerted a powerful influence in drawing men to religion. It is remarkable how even today his influence can still move us towards the things of heaven. Sad to say, not all of us understand these spiritual values as well as we should, nor do we give them a proper place in our lives. Many of us, in fact, strongly attracted by sin, may look upon these values as of little moment, even something of a nuisance, or we ignore them altogether. It is deeply rewarding for men striving for salvation to follow in Christ’s footsteps and to obey God’s commandments. If only everyone could learn this lesson from the example that Martin gave us.
Today’s Mass Collect
O God, who led Saint Martin de Porres by the path of humility to heavenly glory, grant that we may so follow his radiant example in this life as to merit to be exalted with him in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
© 2025, Lawain McNeil, Mission Surrender, LLC.
Lord, help me be a better servant for my fellow man. Thanks for sharing, Lawain..