About Saint Martin de Porres

Saint Martin de Porres (Dec. 9, 1579 - Nov. 4, 1639) began his calling early in life. As a child in Peru, he gave his heart and whatever few possessions he had to the poor and the despised. At the age of 12, St. Martin apprenticed himself to a "cirujano", who in those days, was a barber, pharmacist, doctor, and surgeon. A few years later he applied to the Dominican Order as a lay helper. After nine years of faithful service, his superiors and the rest of the community asked him to make a full profession as a religious. They had stated that they were thoroughly impressed with his level of prayer, penance, humility, and charity. This half-Spanish, half-African Peruvian loved all people without regards to race, color, or station. Saint Martin served all people without measuring the cost. His sanctity was so clearly recognized by his own brethren that the religious of his monastery took him as their spiritual director. His contemporaries would remember him as, what would today be called, far-seeing social worker and a champion of the rights of those denied full freedom because of their race or color.

Alumni

Earl G. Mathews

CLASS OF 1995 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL, PHILADELPHIA, PA

Earl Mathews graduated from high school in 1991.  As a Saint Martin de Porres Grant recipient, he double majored in Political Science and History, participated in Special Olympics, the Black Cultural Society, and tutored at his former high school. A member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and recipient of the Villanova University Black Cultural Society Senior Academic Award, Earl graduated from Villanova in May 1995 with a grade point average of 3.77. Currently, he is a graduate student at the Harvard University School of Law. He aspires to become an attorney so that he can improve his community.

April M. Smith

CLASS OF 2000 THE PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, PHILADELPHIA, PA

April Smith graduated from high school in 1996. As a Saint Martin de Porres Grant Recipient, she takes several courses offered by Villanova's distinguished Honors program . An Accountancy major in the College of Commerce and Finance, April rounds out her studies with  a major in Spanish. She volunteers for Project Sunshine, one of Villanova's  finest community service organizations and dances with Flamenco Ole, Philadelphia Dance Company. April hopes to become a Certified Public Accountant with a private international accounting firm.

The Grants

Each year Villanova University offers competitive grants to traditionally underrepresented students who are high school seniors from the Greater Philadelphia area.