South Africans Challenged to Emulate St. Martin de Porres’ Spirit of Unity and Service

Johannesburg, 04 November, 2025 / 3:26 PM

The Apostolic Nuncio to South Africa has urged the people of God in South Africa to embrace virtues that Saints demonstrated, including unity, humility, and service.

In his Sunday, November 2 homily during the celebration of the Feast of St. Martin de Porres in Pretoria, Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński said that the call to sainthood resonated with the nation’s ongoing journey toward reconciliation and social harmony.

St. Martin de Porres, Archbishop Jagodziński said, “is the patron of social justice, racial harmony, and peace, a saint who the Archbishop said, “speaks powerfully to our own time and to the heart of South Africa, a nation that knows the value of reconciliation and unity.”

“St. Martin shows us that holiness is not found in power or prestige, but in service, in compassion, and in fidelity to God’s will. He reminds us that holiness has no colour, no social class, and no border. It is the universal call of love,” Archbishop Jagodziński said during Mass in which 38 children received their First Holy Communion at St. Martin De Porres Parish in Sunnyside.

The Archbishop invited the candidates of First Holy Communion at the parish to draw inspiration from St. Martin’s example.

“Dear children, when you receive Jesus today, think of St. Martin. Ask him to help you keep your hearts pure, your hands ready to serve, and your smiles bright with kindness,” he said.

Archbishop Jagodziński described Saints as those who trusted in God despite challenges, saying,“They are men and women who loved in the face of hatred, who forgave instead of taking revenge, who served others even when they themselves were poor.” 

“The saints remind us that holiness is possible for everyone, whatever our background, culture, or color, because in Christ, we are one family of God,” he said.

He called on all baptized people of God in South Africa to walk in the path of holiness, saying, “Holiness is not about doing extraordinary things, but about doing ordinary things with extraordinary love.”

Citing the Gospel of Matthew on the Beatitudes, the Archbishop described a Saint as “a portrait of Christ Himself and the pathway to holiness.”

The Apostolic Nuncio encouraged parents to nurture their children's faith through their own witness, saying, “May you continue to form these little ones in faith, by the example of your own holiness, lived simply and joyfully.”

Addressing the 38 children, Archbishop Jagodziński further underscored the importance the Holy Communion, saying, “Each time you receive Him in Holy Communion, He gives you the strength to live these Beatitudes to be gentle, to be kind, to be merciful, to bring peace to your family, your friends, and your school.”

“The Eucharist is not only a gift to be received, but a mission to be lived,” he said at the celebration in which the Parish also commemorated the Solemnity of All Saints.

He expressed gratitude to the 38 children who he said are “taking their place at that table for the first time,” and urged the people of God to rejoice with their children “for in their simple faith, we see the face of the future Church.”

In his homily, the Archbishop invoked the intercession of the Virgin Mary and St. Martin de Porres, saying, “May this day renew in all of us the desire to be Saints, not perfect in our own eyes, but faithful in God’s love. May St. Martin de Porres intercede for your parish and for your city.”

“May Mary, Queen of All Saints, protect these children. May the Lord bless you and keep you always in His peace,” he added.