Posted November 8, 2018

Hundreds of Catholic faithful filled the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on Nov. 5 for the 56th annual Mass in honor of St. Martin de Porres. Louisiana Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was the main celebrant for the Mass that also marked the start of National Black Catholic History Month in November.

Canonized in 1962, St. Martin de Porres was a 16th-century Peruvian son of a freed slave. During his life, St. Martin became known for his miraculous intercession, extreme acts of penance and long hours of prayer. He is the patron saint of African American Catholics, mixed-race people, innkeepers, barbers and public health workers; his feast day is Nov. 3.

See our coverage of the Mass here. (Photos by Sarah Webb.)

  • Crystal Mills-Peyton of the Ladies Auxiliary of St. Peter Claver, and a St. Athanasius parishioner, lifts her hands in prayer at the Nov. 5 Mass honoring St. Martin de Porres.

  • The annual St. Martin de Porres Mass on Nov. 5 also honored notable Black Catholics such as Father Augustus Tolton and Mother Mary Lange.

  • Lady Janice Paige of St. Athanasius Parish sings at the annual St. Martin de Porres Mass, Nov. 5.

  • Alfred Weeks, a member of St. Barnabas Parish in Philadelphia, attends the annual St. Martin de Porres Mass with his family Nov. 5 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia. (Sarah Webb)

  • Spencer Sargent, Keith Jones and Joy Lee-Zacarewitz, all students of St. Martin de Porres School, attend a Nov. 5 Mass in honor of their educational patron.

  • Archbishop Charles Chaput welcomed the faithful to the Nov. 5 St. Martin de Porres Mass.

  • Deacon Anthony Willoughby led the intercessions during the Nov. 5 St. Martin de Porres Mass.

  • Rita Hodges and Mary Laver, from St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Philadelphia, hold hands as they pray. (Sarah Webb)

  • Tiffany Watson and her daughter Landrie of St. Athanasius Parish attended the Nov. Mass in honor of St. Martin de Porres.

  • At a Nov. 5 Mass in honor of St. Martin de Porres, Zahir Ogelsby-Tucker and Khamir Williams brought up the gifts with their grandmother Evelyn Bailey, a member of Our Lady of Hope Church.

  • Bishop Shelton J. Fabre presided at a Nov. 5 Mass in honor of St. Martin de Porres, a 16th Peruvian who is a patron of Black Catholics.