Unità documentaria 0590 - S. Martinus de Porres Conf. O.P.

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The image depicts the Domenican St Martin de Porres (+1639), the Peruvian lay brother of the Domenican Order. Born in Lima in 1579, Martin was the illegitimate son to a Spanish gentlemen and a freed slave from Panama, of African or possibly Native American descent. At a young age, Martin's father abandoned him, his mother and his younger sister, leaving Martin to grow up in deep poverty. After spending just two years in primary school, Martin was placed with a barber/surgeon where he would learn to cut hair and the medical arts. In fact, when he grew older, he took great care of the sick and needy. This is why he is the patron saint of mixed races, barbers, public health workers and innkeepers. His feast day is on the 3 November. The image commemorates the celebration by all barbers who gathered in the church dedicated to Jesus Nazarene in Sliema on his feastday.

• maltese
• latino