Page 7 - Faith Connections Issue 2 (4)

ISSUE 2 JULY 2021

MYSTERY SAINT

“Everything, even sweeping, scraping vegetables, weeding a garden, and

waiting on the sick could be a prayer, if it were offered to God” -our Mystery

Saint

Greetings! Can you guess who I am from reading my story? Test your knowledge!

I was born in Lima, Peru on December 9, 1579. I was born to a Spanish settler

and a freed slave from Panama. In my youth, I had to find menial jobs at the

local monastery to support my mother and sister - cutting hair, sweeping the

floors, and managing the inn.

As I grew older, I experienced a lot of discrimination in my town because of my

mixed heritage. For instance, I was unable to pledge myself to religious orders.

However, after years of prayer, God answered my call as I was finally able to

become a Dominican lay brother at the age of 24. Despite the mockery from
those around me, I prioritized strengthening my own faith in order to serve

others unconditionally.

At the infirmary where I was assigned to, I made sure to take care of anyone that

came to me whether it be wealthy Spanish merchants or impoverished African
slaves. I reflected God’s love through healing the sick and taking care of

orphans. I also enjoyed many gifts from God such as aerial flights, bilocation,

instant cures, miraculous knowledge, spiritual knowledge and an excellent

relationship with animals. When the Convent rebuked me for helping those

afflicted by the Lima epidemic, I replied, “Forgive my error, and please instruct
me, for I did not know that the precept of obedience took precedence over that

of charity.”

EASTER EDITION | ISSUE 1
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