In a recent conversation, Sr. Ellen Joseph Moore shared insightful reflections on St. Martin de Porres, a saint who has profoundly influenced her life since childhood. Raised in a Celtic culture with a deep reverence for St. Martin, Sr. Ellen recalled how many of her relatives cherished a statue of St. Martin; she keeps one herself. Throughout Ireland, donation boxes in stores were placed in honor of St. Martin, encouraging support for those experiencing poverty. Sr. Ellen believes that the Celt's strong connection to St. Martin stems from his unwavering commitment to the poor and Ireland’s history of hardship and poverty.
This cultural emersion with tales of St. Martin and St. Rose of Lima inspired Sr. Ellen to join the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill. Through personal stories, Ellen shared how St. Martin's legacy has influenced her faith journey, including a family story about the saint's protective presence over a cousin and the cherished possession of a statue and relic of St. Martin.
Here is the cousin's story from Ireland.
“Joe, who was my closest cousin, who was like a brother to me, he was in the pram that they called it, and it was next to the dresser, which was, well, they would call it the press, which hosted all kinds of dishes, and they would have nice display dishes out in the front with a little piece of wood. So he stood up, reached for the wood, shook it, and pulled the entire dresser down. Oh my. The carriage came down. He was under the carriage and dresser, and St Martin came down. He was on top. Well, St Martin never got broken. Joe didn't have a scratch, Wow. He could have been maybe a toddler. Oh yeah, he could have been from maybe about a year old.”
St. Martin de Porres, known for his mixed-racial heritage, dedicated his life to serving the poor and performing miraculous deeds. His life was a testament to the extraordinary power of faith. St. Martin nurtured his deep faith from his youth in Lima, Peru, by praying before the Blessed Sacrament. Martin practiced barbering and healing and was said to have performed many miraculous cures. He also took on kitchen work, laundry, and cleaning. Ellen highlighted his remarkable ability to feed many from a single pot of food and even bargain with mice to leave the monastery, emphasizing his compassion for all of God’s creation.
As the conversation unfolded, Ellen reflected on the teachings of St. Martin and how they inspire a more profound commitment to faith. The lessons drawn from his life are timeless:
Reverence for All of Creation: St. Martin's profound respect for every creature, even the smallest ones, exemplifies the belief that the divine presence exists in all aspects of creation. His compassion for all living things reminds us to treat every element of the natural world with care. Furthermore, he used the gifts of creation to serve the needs of people experiencing poverty, planting orchards and gardens to feed hungry neighbors.
Trusting in God’s Providence: St. Martin exemplified unwavering trust in God’s provision despite poverty and personal struggles, including his experience of racism. His willingness to share what little he had illustrates the importance of faith in divine support, encouraging us to let go of our worries and trust that our needs will be met.
Integrating Prayer and Action: St. Martin seamlessly wove together a rich prayer life with active service. He understood that prayer and outreach were interconnected; his spiritual practices fueled his compassion, while his actions deepened his spiritual commitment. This integration is a powerful invitation to reflect on how we can harmonize our spiritual practices with our everyday actions.
Humility and Obedience: despite his high regard among peers, St. Martin's humility is a powerful lesson in service. He remained obedient to his superiors and sought no personal recognition, focusing instead on living out his vows faithfully. This calls us to approach our lives with a similar spirit of humility and dedication.
Sr. Ellen’s reflections on St. Martin de Porres highlight both the profound example of the saint's life and the call to embody his virtues in our own. She sees a deep resonance between St. Martin's spirit and the words of Micah 6:8, which encapsulate the essence of his mission and hers: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). Through this lens, Sr. Ellen invites us to consider how these guiding principles—justice, kindness, and humility—are not only central to St. Martin's legacy but also essential to our Christian journey.
– Sister Ellen Joseph Moore, OP
Sister Ellen Joseph volunteers at Dominican Convent after serving 28 years as Chaplain at the Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, NY. She previously ministered as a Pastoral Associate.