Saints

Dominican lay brother. Patron saint of race relations. Born in 1579, in Lima, Peru, Martin was the illegitimate son of a Spanish knight, John de Porres, and a free black woman, Anna Velasquez. As a boy, Martin was apprenticed to a barber-surgeon. He spent his free time helping the Dominicans in their work with the poor. Eventually he became a lay brother, working during the day with the sick as ... Read More

Today we pray for all those who have died. Although prayers for the dead are inscribed in some of the early Roman catacombs, it wasn't until about 636 that the Church began keeping this day officially. At first only dead monks were specially commemorated. Odilo, Abbot of Cluny (d 1049) extended the commemoration for 'all the dead who have existed from the beginning of time to the end of time.' ... Read More

Archbishop of Milan. Charles was born in 1528 to an aristocratic family, who lived in a castle on the shore of Lake Maggiore. He suffered a speech impediment but was a very bright student. By the age of 22 he had his doctor's degree. His uncle Pope Pius IV heaped honours on him, including the administration of the diocese of Milan and appointment as Cardinal. Charles would have preferred to leav... Read More