Saint Martin de Porres, an incredible saint that lived in the sixteenth century, is a wonderful role model for young Catholic people. The holy boy lived a humble life as a priest in the monastery at Santo Domingo. He showed obedience to Father Prior. Martin showed his kindness for the people of Lima. Saint Martin de Porres, the Story of the little Doctor of Lima, Peru, by Mary Fabyan Windeatt gives young Catholic people the inspiration to be humble, obedient, and kind.

The young friar showed his humbleness at the monastery of Santo Domingo in Lima, Peru. Father Peter, an ailing priest at Santo Domingo, was afflicted with a leg disease. Martin said some prayers and God healed his leg. Father Peter gave him praise, but Martin said that it was God that healed his leg and he should praise God instead. Another incident occurred when Father Cyprian, the archbishop of Mexico’s nephew, was giving Martin praise for healing his uncle. Modestly, he told Father Cyprian to give the praise to God, for it was God that healed his uncle. Martin wanted no praise at Santo Domino, but only to live a humble life.

The subservient young boy showed his obedience to Father Prior. Martin was obedient to Father Prior when Father Prior told him that his job at the monastery would be to cut hair, give food to the poor, and care for the sick. He immediately obeyed and was grateful for his tasks. Another example of obedience was when Father Prior told Martin to go visit Brother Thomas because he was ailing. Brother Thomas was a friar at the monastery. Even though Martin wanted to go buy a mantilla for his niece, he obeyed. Martin lived a life of obedience to Father Prior.

Martin’s kindness shone throughout Lima. Martin was taking a trip out to the country and he saw some young children playing outside. He found out they barely had any food and their parents worked very hard to feed them. He showed his kindness and invited them to share his food. At the monastery, he invited some novices to come to his cell and eat with him. Martin kindly left them food to eat after their long day of hard work. Anthony was a young lad whose mother was dying. He asked Martin to come to his house. Besides coming to his house, Martin gave Anthony a pair of shoes. Martin’s kindness made Lima shine with happiness.

Martin de Porres’ virtuous life inspires me to be to a better person. Saint Martin inspires me to be humble in my accomplishments and not to boast. He inspires me to be obedient by doing what I am asked the first time. Martin inspires me to be kind to my siblings and those around me by not yelling or losing my temper. Martin’s simple life of humbleness, obedience, and kindness can inspire young Catholic people.

St. Martin de Porres, pray for us!

You should share your things with others. Jesus went by himself onto a deserted piece of land. People came to him asking them to cure them. It was near meal time and the people were growing hungry. Jesus asked his disciples to find some food. A young boy had happened to bring five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus took the food and blessed it. To the amazement of the apostles, there was enough food to feed about 5,000 men, not counting women and children. If you share what you have, great things can happen.

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Saint Joan of Arc, a young woman living during the Hundred Years War, is a great role model for all Catholics.  Even as a young girl, Joan showed immediate obedience to those in authority over her.  Joan persevered through the many tasks God had given her in the short live she was given.  The maid, as they called her, showed several examples of courage during her holy life.  Saint Joan of Arc the Girl Soldier, by Louis de Wohl, gives all people the inspiration to have obedience, perseverance, and courage.

Even as a young girl, Joan showed immediate obedience to those over her.  When Joan was seventeen, Saints Michael, Catherine, and Margaret appeared to her.  They told her that she would lead France’s army against the English.  Joan hesitated.  She didn’t know anything about war or how to ride a horse.  However, Joan showed obedience and immediately pursued her mission from God.  Another incident occurred after Joan had permission to lead the French army.  The soldiers gave her an ordinary sword.  She wished she could accept the sword from the soldiers, but the saints had told her she needed a certain sword.  This sword had five red crosses on its hilt and was underneath the altar in the Church of Saint Catherine in Fierbois.  Joan proved her obedience even in her last hours.  The English army had captured Joan and was going to burn her at the stake.  Joan could have been uncooperative with them.  Instead, Joan faced death and was obedient to their commands even though she knew she was going to die.  It is clear that Joan’s first priority was to obey those over her.

Joan persevered through the many tasks God had given her in the short live she was given.  When Joan first asked Captain Robert de Baudricourt for soldiers, she was told to go home so her father could whip her.  However, because she was filled with determination, she went back to plead again to the captain.  Although she was rejected yet again, Joan did not give up.  On her second visit to the captain, she predicted in nine days a messenger would arrive and tell them of a grave defeat.  Late on the ninth night, a messenger arrived and told them of the very defeat Joan had predicted.  Captain Baudricourt called Joan back the very next day and told her to go ask the dauphin for soldiers.  Showing perseverance, Joan went to see the dauphin.  Knowing she was coming to see him, he devised a test for Joan.  He chose a man from the vast crowd who looked similar to him, dressed him to look like himself and sat him on the throne.  The dauphin himself dressed as one of the crowd.  When Joan came into the room she immediately knew that someone else was on the throne.  At once, she looked for the dauphin and found him in the midst of the crowd.  When Joan found him, she asked for soldiers.  The dauphin heard Joan’s plea for soldiers and immediately denied her request.  The next day, Joan visited the dauphin and told him she was being sent by God, but he did not believe her.  Again, Joan went to see the dauphin.  This time he granted her request.  Another incident occurred when Joan was in a battle.  The English were winning, and in fear of death, retreated.  Joan did not retreat and was hit with an arrow.  She fell off her horse, and lying on the ground, she prayed to Saint Michael to help her.  Obviously, this prayer was heard and Joan, although terribly wounded, pulled the arrow out of her body, got back up, and started fighting again. Joan showed much perseverance during her short life.

The maid, as they called her, showed several examples of courage during her holy life.  After the saints told Joan her mission, Joan went to talk with Captain Robert de Baudricourt.  Joan did not know the dangers of this long and tiresome journey and was not to speak to someone she didn’t know.  Another incident occurred when Joan was in charge of the other soldiers.  She told Captain Baudricourt she wanted her soldiers to go to confession and attend Mass.  She was courageous in this incident because she knew Captain Baudricourt might say no and get very mad at her.  To Joan’s surprise, he agreed and did not become mad.  Perhaps Joan’s most courageous time in her life was when she was captured by the English.  The English were furious for the many battles they had lost because of her.  They told her that if she would deny God, they would set her free.  Joan would not deny her God.  She knew what she was doing when she said this, but faced death.  Obviously, Joan was a very courageous young woman.

Saint Joan of Arc the Girl Soldier, by Louis de Wohl, gives all people the inspiration to have obedience, perseverance, and courage.  Reading about Saint Joan’s life made me realize that I need to be more obedient to my parents by doing what they tell me the first time I am asked.  Joan inspires me to persevere through my tasks though I might be frustrated and want to quit my task.  By her example of courage, I have learned to be more courageous and stand up for what is right even if I am teased for standing up.  Saint Joan’s simple life can inspire all Catholics to have obedience, perseverance, and courage.

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Although there are many great Old Testament stories, the story of David and goliath is my favorite. Goliath, a tall and strong Philistine and his army, were fighting against the Israelites. Every day he would challenge one of the Israelites to come and fight him. The winner would take the other army as slaves. No one wanted to fight Goliath because of his mighty strength and size. One day, David, a shepherd boy, brought some food to his brothers, who were soldiers. When David heard Goliath’s challenge, he immediately asked Saul, the general of the army if he could fight Goliath. Finally, after much hesitation, Saul allowed David to try. So, confidently David pick up a stone, put it in his slingshot, and hit Goliath right between his eyes. As soon the stone hit Goliath, he fell down. To ensure he was dead, David took Goliath’s sword and stabbed him. The Philistine army, terror stricken fled in terror. Overjoyed, the Israelite army chased after the Philistine army and on the way back, looted the Philistine camp. David, a hero, was greeted with joy. The story of David and Goliath shows anything can happen with God on your side.