Novena to Saint Martin de Porres – 9 Days of Prayer for Miracles and Healing
The Novena to Saint Martin de Porres is a powerful devotion to a humble Dominican lay brother from Lima, Peru, known for his deep charity, miraculous healings, and love for the poor. Saint Martin’s life was a living example of compassion and humility, showing how faith and service can unite people of every race and background. Catholics around the world pray this novena to ask for his intercession in times of illness, injustice, or need. The novena traditionally begins on October 24 and concludes on November 2, leading up to his feast day on November 3.
Who Was Saint Martin de Porres?
Saint Martin de Porres was a humble Dominican lay brother who lived in Lima, Peru, from 1579 to 1639. Known for his deep humility, compassion for the poor, and miraculous healings, he remains one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic Church. His life was marked by service, charity, and a burning love for God and neighbor.
Humble Beginnings
Martin was born on December 9, 1579, to a Spanish nobleman, Don Juan de Porres, and a freed African and Indigenous woman, Ana Velázquez. His parents were not married, and his father abandoned the family shortly after Martin’s sister was born.
Raised in poverty, Martin’s mother worked as a laundress to support her children. Despite their hardships, she instilled in Martin a strong faith and trust in God’s providence.
Early Work and Calling
At a young age, Martin was apprenticed to a barber-surgeon, a trade that combined hair-cutting with basic medical care. He became skilled in medicine, herbal remedies, and healing — talents he would later use to care for the sick and the poor.
Martin’s spiritual life deepened as he spent long nights in prayer and penance. At fifteen, he sought to join the Dominican monastery of the Holy Rosary in Lima, but because of racist colonial laws prohibiting people of African or Indigenous descent from joining religious orders, he was initially accepted only as a donado — a servant who lived with the friars and wore the habit without full vows.
Service, Miracles, and Vocation
While serving as a porter, cook, and cleaner, Martin also tended to the sick and offered barber and medical services to the community. Miracles began to surround his life:
- He healed the sick through prayer and touch.
- Food multiplied in his hands when feeding the poor.
- Animals obeyed him and sought his protection.
- He was seen levitating in prayer and even appearing in two places at once (bilocation).
After eight years, recognizing his holiness, the prior of the monastery decided to admit Martin fully into the Dominican Order, disregarding the discriminatory laws. He took vows as a lay brother at age 24.
Trials and Charity
Not all welcomed his profession. Some friars mocked him because of his race and background, calling him “a mulatto dog.” But Martin responded with meekness and love, embracing insults as opportunities for humility and sacrifice.
He later became responsible for the infirmary, where he worked tirelessly to care for the sick, regardless of their social class — nobles, slaves, and beggars alike. His healing gifts drew many to him, and countless people experienced cures through his intercession.
Martin’s compassion extended beyond the monastery walls. He fed hundreds of poor people daily, founded an orphanage and hospital, and cared even for stray animals, calling them his “brothers and sisters.”
Death and Canonization
Saint Martin de Porres died on November 3, 1639, at the age of 59, surrounded by his Dominican brothers. Miracles continued after his death, and his reputation for holiness spread rapidly across the world.
He was beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI and canonized in 1962 by Pope Saint John XXIII. Today, his feast is celebrated every November 3rd.
Patronage and Intercession
Saint Martin de Porres is the patron saint of:
- People of mixed race and African descent
- Barbers and hairdressers
- Public health workers and healthcare professionals
- Racial harmony and social justice
- The poor and the sick
He is a powerful intercessor for those seeking healing, humility, and peace.
Why Pray the Novena to Saint Martin de Porres?
This novena invites us to follow Saint Martin’s example of humility, mercy, and faith. It’s especially powerful for those who:
- Struggle with illness or poverty
- Work in healthcare or social service
- Seek unity, racial healing, or reconciliation
- Desire greater love and humility in daily life
“He loved all people, for he saw in everyone the face of Christ.”
The Prayer
Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Martin de Porres as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed beginning from his childhood and adolescence in poverty.
St. Martin de Porres, you and your family were very poor during your childhood and adolescence. Though you and your family suffered from poverty, you were eager to grow in love for God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved!
Your mother was barely able to support you and your sister. You had to begin work as a barber and surgeon from a young age, but you persevered in seeking God’s will for your life.
Pray for me, that I may never allow sufferings to deter me from serving God. Pray that I may eagerly seek His will for my life, as you did.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Martin de Porres, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Martin de Porres as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed as he worked diligently for his own support from an early age.
St. Martin de Porres, you began to learn the trade of barbering and surgery from an early age because your mother was no longer able to support you. Despite how difficult this must have been, you continued serving God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served!
Later when you were living in the monastery, you did not shirk from performing whatever work you were given. Even in the midst of unpleasant tasks, you continued to lovingly serve God.
Pray for me, that I may always perform my own work with virtue. Pray that I may seek every opportunity to serve God in my life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Martin de Porres, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Martin de Porres as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in responding to Your call to the religious life.
St. Martin de Porres, you grew in piety as a young man. You felt called to religious life, and you looked for a way to answer that call despite the unjust laws preventing your entry to an order.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you longed to serve!
Rather than ignore the call to religious life in the face of great difficulty, you instead chose to enter the monastery as a servant. You then did all you could to serve God with great devotion for the rest of your life.
Pray for me, that I may do all I can to carry out God’s call in my life. Pray that I may never allow difficulties to deter me from serving God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Martin de Porres, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Martin de Porres as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed by staying firm in his quest to follow Your call in his life despite the obstacles of racial discrimination.
St. Martin de Porres, you desired to serve God in the religious life as a young man. Even though unjust laws prevented you from entering the monastery, you persevered in seeking a way to follow God’s call.
Please persevere in bringing my petitions before God!
During your time in the monastery, you suffered mockery from some others on account of your race. Despite this, you held fast to the path of virtue and holiness.
Pray for me, that I may never waver in my faithfulness to God. Pray that I may never allow any sufferings or injustices to deter me from remaining faithful.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Martin de Porres, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Martin de Porres as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed through his deep faith that allowed You to work many miracles through him.
St. Martin de Porres, you spent a lot of your time in the monastery tending to the sick in the infirmary. While you were tending the sick, God began to work miraculous healings through you.
Please bring my petitions before the throne of God!
During your life, you also bilocated and levitated. Your deep faith became evident to all through these extraordinary signs God worked through you.
Pray for me, that I may grow to a deeper faith in my life each day. Pray that I may never waver in my desire to serve God wholly.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Martin de Porres, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Martin de Porres as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in his deep devotion to the Eucharist.
St. Martin de Porres, you grew in virtue and love for God during your time in the monastery. You became particularly devoted to the Eucharist as you continued seeking to serve God.
Please continue to bring my petitions before God!
You had such a deep love for the Body and Blood of Christ that one on occasion you did not notice a fire around you while you prayed, enraptured before the Blessed Sacrament.
Pray for me, that I may grow in my love for the Eucharist each day. Pray that I may grow in appreciation for the great gift that the Eucharist is to us.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Martin de Porres, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Martin de Porres as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed through his devoted care for the sick.
St. Martin de Porres, your superiors placed you in the assignment to care for the sick in the infirmary because they recognized your virtue. As you cared for the sick, you relied heavily on the grace of this virtue in order to care for the sick out of deep love for God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved so deeply!
While you worked in the infirmary, you faithfully cared for all your patients with deep love and compassion.
Pray for me, that I may strive to do all my work with virtue and out of love for God. Pray that I may never miss the opportunity to serve God through service to those in need.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Martin de Porres, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Martin de Porres as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed through his constant care for those in need.
St. Martin de Porres, you were raised in poverty yourself and must have known how important it is for us all to assist those in need. Throughout your time in the monastery, you faithfully sought to do all you could to assist those in need.
Please bring my petitions before the throne of God with such faithfulness!
You fed hundreds of people, distributed a great amount of money to the poor, and established a home for orphans. You did all these works out of love for God.
Pray for me, that I may do all I can to assist those in need, out of love for God. Pray that I may never miss the opportunity to serve God through acts of charity towards those in need.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Martin de Porres, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Martin de Porres as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed through his lifetime of service to You and Your Church.
St. Martin de Porres, you eagerly desired to serve God in the religious life when you were a young man. Even though the path to this vocation was difficult, you persevered out of love for God.
Please persevere in bringing my petitions before God!
While in the monastery, you faithfully devoted yourself to serving God through prayer, penance, and acts of charity. You never wavered in your commitment to God and His Church.
Pray for me, that I may serve God as faithfully in my life as you did. Pray that I may never waver in my commitment to God and His Church.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Martin de Porres, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Closing Thoughts and Intercession
May the example of Saint Martin de Porres inspire us to live with humility, compassion, and love for all — regardless of background or status.
As you complete this novena, ask Saint Martin to intercede for your intentions and to help you serve others with joy and peace.
If this devotion has touched your heart, consider sharing it with someone who might need hope or healing today.
🙏 Saint Martin de Porres, pray for us!
Related Devotions:
- Novena to Saint Jude – For impossible causes and desperate situations.
- Novena to Saint Padre Pio – For healing and strength in suffering.
- St. Rita of Cascia Novena – Powerful intercessor for hopeless cases.
- Prayer to Saint Peregrine for Cancer Patients – Patron saint of those battling cancer.
- Novena to Saint Monica – For family conversion and perseverance in prayer.