Diwali is one of the many festivals of light celebrated around the world by many peoples. In this case, it is a Hindu feast commemorating a variety of events, historical and religious.
November 3 is the feast of St. Martin de Porres on the Roman Catholic calendar, although this year the feast is not celebrated because it falls on Sunday. A native of Lima, Peru, he was a Dominican lay brother of mixed race, for which reason he is seen as a patron of those seeking racial harmony and social justice. One of the things that I recall about St. Martin is that he was kind to animals, something mentioned as remarkable by witnesses who testified to his sanctity. Some churches have a special ceremony blessing pets on his day, similar to the same custom for the feast of St. Francis. Martin is sometimes shown with a dog, a cat and a mouse eating in peace from the same dish, over which hovers a dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit. People attributed this to an ability to communicate with animals, but one suspects it was more a result of his habitual empathy and kindness towards all living beings. An example to us all, yes? Perhaps if the saint could get dogs, cats and mice to come to the table in peace, his example and prayers might help human beings do the same thing.
St. Martin de Porres, on this Festival of Lights, pray for us!
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