A group of 230 hairdressers and beauticians from Italy on a pilgrim on Monday to celebrate their patron saint, St. Martin de Porres had a chance to meet up with Pope Francis.
Holy Father told the crowd of pilgrims they should follow in the footsteps of their patron saint, Martino de Porres, a 17th-century barber/surgeon whose job covered haircuts, amputations, and bloodletting.
“The humble and great figure of St. Martin de Porres, whom Pope St. Paul VI, in 1966, proclaimed patron of your category, helps you constantly witness Christian values. Each of you, in your professional work, can always act with righteousness, thus making a positive contribution to the common good of society,” he urged.
Pope Francis first recognized the saint, with Latin American roots from Lima, Peru. St. Martin de Porres provided health care and services to the poor in his era whose committee is doing a pilgrimage to the apostles’ tombs in Rome. The Peruvian saint was canonized in 1962 for his supposed miracles of levitation, instant cures, communicating with animals and being in two places at once.
With this special emphasis on their Christian faith, Pope Francis had a request for their daily work.
“Practice your profession in a Christian style, treating customers with kindness and courtesy, offering them a good word and encouragement and avoid succumbing to the temptation of chatter which is easily associated with your field of work,” said the Pope.
He concluded the visit by praying a Hail Mary with all those gathered and blessing them before they thanked the Pope with a round of applause.
