Commemoration
Born in 1579, Martin joined the Domincan Order as a lay-helper but so impressed the community that he was invited to make his profession as a lay brother. Hisown community accepted him as their spiritual director, an unheard of action at that time for a black man in a white community. He died of a violent fever and was immediately venerated, first locally and then through peru and South America. His recognition as patron of race relations was due, not to any political or revolutionary activity but to his universal, caring charity to all people, whom he served without the cost. He died on this day in 1639.