Council for Black Catholics celebrates Feast of St. Martin De Porres

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Colorado Springs Council for Black Catholics held its annual St. Martin De Porres dinner on Nov. 6 at St. Joseph Parish in Colorado Springs. The dinner takes place each year on the Saturday after Nov. 3, St. Martin’s feast day, and has been held at various parishes around the diocese.

 St. Martin De Porres was born in Lima, Peru in 1579. Apprenticed at age 12 to a barber-surgeon, he made his profession as a lay brother in the Dominican order in 1603. He started an orphanage and foundling hospital, ministered to African slaves, practiced great penances and experienced mystical gifts. He died in 1639 and was beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI. He was canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII and is the patron saint of social justice.

November is also Black Catholic History Month, which began in 1990 in conjunction with various St. Martin De Porres celebrations around the country.

The Colorado Springs Council for Black Catholics would like to expand this annual event to be more inclusive. Parishes that are interested in hosting the dinner or other events can contact the council at cscbc.be.seen@gmail.com.

Photo: Members of the Colorado Springs Council for Black Catholics are pictured with Bishop James Golka during the annual St. Martin De Porres dinner on Nov. 6 at St. Joseph Parish in Colorado Springs. (Photo by Esperanza Griffith)

(Aisha C. Young is President of the Colorado Springs Council for Black Catholics.)