Daily Prayers for November 3

Martin de Porres

The illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman in sixteenth-century Peru, Martin de Porres bore the complexion of his black mother. He presented himself at fifteen as someone who could sweep the floors at a Dominican monastery, but his talents, especially in the art of healing, were soon recognized. As head of the monastery’s infirmary, Martin not only treated the brothers but went out into the streets of Peru and brought in the poor, even offering his own bed for them to sleep in. When Martin was made a saint in 1962, Pope John XXIII named him patron of all who work for social justice.

O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you

as the day rises to meet the sun.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Come, let us sing to the Lord : let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Song “Ubi Caritas”

You, O Lord, are my lamp : my God, you make my darkness bright.

Psalm 18:21 – 25

The Lord rewarded me because of my righteous dealing : because my hands were clean he rewarded me;

for I have kept the ways of the Lord : and have not offended against my God;

for all his judgments are before my eyes : and his decrees I have not put away from me;

for I have been blameless with him : and have kept myself from iniquity;

therefore the Lord rewarded me according to my righteous dealing : because of the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

You, O Lord, are my lamp : my God, you make my darkness bright.

Joel 1:15 – 20 Revelation 9:1 – 12

You, O Lord, are my lamp : my God, you make my darkness bright.

A contemporary of Martin de Porres testified, “He was a man of great charity, who being in charge of the infirmary not only healed his brother religious when they were sick but also assisted in the larger duty of spreading the Great Love of the world. For this they knew him as their father and consolation, calling him father of the poor.”

Prayers for Others

Our Father

Lord, when we open our hands and hearts to the poor, your kingdom is at hand. Remind us that there is always enough to give to those who are in need. Make us generous today with the goods you have entrusted to us. Amen.

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you;

may he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;

may he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;

may he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.