Memorial of St. Martin de Porres

"The example of Martin’s life is ample evidence that we can strive for holiness & salvation as Christ Jesus has shown us: first, by loving God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and second, by loving your neighbor as yourself.
When Martin had come to realize that Christ Jesus suffered for us & that he carried our sins on his body to the cross, he would meditate with remarkable ardor and affection about Christ on the cross. Whenever he would contemplate Christ’s terrible torture he would be reduced to tears. He had an exception love for the great sacrament of the Eucharist and often spent long hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. His desire was to receive the sacrament in communion as often as he could.
…He was tireless in his efforts to reform the criminal, and he would sit up with the sick to bring them comfort. For the poor he would provide food, clothing, and medicine…Common people responded by calling him 'Martin the charitable.'"
--Pope John XXIII at the Canonization of St. Martin de Porres