Nurse

Saint Martin de Porres (1579–1639), a Dominican tertiary friar from Lima, embodies humility and service. The son of a Spanish nobleman and a former slave, he cared for the poor, the sick, and animals without distinction, transforming contempt into charity, and was canonized in 1962. His example invites us to serve discreetly, to heal the wounds of contempt, and to recognize the dignity of every person. Prayer, concrete actions, and meditation are recommended to keep his memory alive.

An Italian woman from Veneto and a religious nurse, Marie-Bertille Boscardin (1888-1922) reveals the power of humility in the hospital wards of Treviso during the Great...