“Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert”
by Gary D. Schmidt, illustrated by David Diaz
Clarion Books, New York, 2012, 32 pages, Grades K-3.
South America has produced many great saints. Interestingly enough, three of them have belonged to the Dominican Order, and all are from Peru.
The first is St. Rose of Lima. The beautiful daughter of a Spanish nobleman, St. Rose withdrew from the world and committed herself to prayer and sacrifice. The second is St. Juan Macias. St. Juan spent his life as a lay brother serving the poor in Lima.
The third is St. Martin de Porres. The son of a Spanish father and an African mother, St. Martin de Porres gave himself totally to Jesus Christ through a life of charity. Gary Schmidt tells his wonderful story in the short biography, “Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert.”
Life did not hand Martin de Porres any favors. As a child, his father abandoned the family and the young boy frequently endured racial taunts from others. Living in abject poverty, he eked out a living with his mother and sister through a brutal life of manual labor. Eventually, his father returned to the family, moved the children to Ecuador and began to provide for them.
At about the age of 15, Martin returned to Lima and was apprenticed as a barber/surgeon. He soon joined a Dominican monastery as a laborer and porter. He endured many persecutions from his fellow Dominicans because of his biracial heritage and was not allowed to study for the priesthood. But through it all, Martin practiced the highest charity with the poor of Lima. He used his medical skills to heal many sick people. Eventually, his immense holiness became widely known and after many years, Martin took his vows as a religious.
In the following years, Brother Martin cared for the sick and suffering from all classes in Lima. He had a special affection for animals and frequently cared for them as well. Soon many miracles began to occur through his intercession. Most people in Peru came to believe that Brother Martin was a living saint.
Throughout his many years of humble service to the Church, Martin de Porres never sought any glory for himself. He considered himself God’s servant and was frequently seen humbly sweeping the floors at the monastery and church. He knew that anything done for the love of God could be a sanctifying moment.
By the end of his life in 1639, Brother Martin de Porres was revered in Lima for his deep love for God and his neighbor. As he lay dying, people throughout Lima began singing to him in thanksgiving for his beautiful life. St. Pope John XXIII canonized him in May of 1962 and his feast day is Nov. 3.
I have only related a few of the marvelous things St. Martin de Porres accomplished in his life. How did he heal so many people and animals? What is bilocation? How did this pertain to the life of this great saint? Why is love able to overcome racial hatred? And finally, how does the life of St. Martin de Porres show us why a life of total dedication to Jesus produce such magnificent fruits? To find out the answers to these questions, purchase this wonderful book, “Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert.”
Pura Belpre was the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. The American Library Association gives an annual medal in her name to the book making the most outstanding contribution to Latin American culture each year. “Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert” won the medal for illustration in 2013. I hope you get a chance to read this story with your children. Enjoy!
