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Due to racial and social prejudices, Saint Martin de Porres might have grown to be a bitter man, but he did not. Instead, he turned to the needs of others and generously cared for the poor and downcast. He was known for his goodness to, and love of others, regardless of their race.
Following the ancient tradition within the Church of offering prayers for the faithful departed, today we offer our prayers for all of our deceased relatives and friends, trusting in the power of prayer and the infinite mercy of God.
While many saints have a specific feast day on which we celebrate their lives and work, the vast majority of the saints of heaven do not. Today we celebrate All Saints, those men, women, and children who have gone before us and on whose shoulders we stand in our faith.
Wolfgang of Regensburg served many years as a teacher before becoming a Benedictine monk. He was named the bishop of Regensburg by the emperor and served reluctantly but well until his death in 994.
Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez lost his mother, wife, and daughter within a period of three years. He retired to his sister’s home, and after the death of his son, he entered the Jesuit Order, where he served as college porter. Saint Peter Claver was a seminarian during Saint Alphonsus’ time at the college.
Some speculate that Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem lived well beyond 100; some say he lived to 160. We don’t know much about him, but a number of miracles are attributed to him. Narcissus served as bishop of Jerusalem in the late second century.
Legend has it that Saints Simon and Jude traveled to Persia together where they were both martyred. This may explain why they share the same feast day. Saint Simon is usually referred to as “the Zealot,” and Saint Jude, also known as Thaddeus, is often considered the brother of Saint James the Lesser.
