Martin de Porres Ward facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Martin Maria de Porres Ward |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 4, 1955 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 20, 1918 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | June 22, 1999 (aged 81) Brazil |
| Sainthood | |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
Martin (Martinho) Maria de Porres Ward was an African-American Catholic priest. He was a missionary who worked in Brazil for over 40 years. He was the first African-American to join the Conventual Franciscans. Many people believe he should become a saint. The Diocese of São João del Rei has suggested him for sainthood.
Contents
Who Was Father Martin Ward?
Early Life and Faith Journey
Matthias DeWitte Ward was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 20, 1918. His parents were William Henry Ward and Clara Irby. They were an interracial couple. He grew up with 12 brothers and sisters. His family was Methodist.
Later, his family moved to Washington, D.C.. Matthias went to Dunbar High School. When he was 17, he became a Catholic. This happened on May 6, 1937, at St. Augustine Catholic Church. He was confirmed in his faith on May 30, 1940. In 1942, he started studying to become a priest.
Becoming a Priest
Matthias had to leave his first seminary (a school for priests) because of a lung problem. He then moved to Brooklyn, New York. There, he applied to join the Conventual Franciscans. At that time, many seminaries in the U.S. did not accept Black men because of racism. But Matthias was accepted by the Conventuals in June 1945. They promised him that there would be suitable work for a Black priest in their order. He was the first African-American to join this group.
When he made his first promises to the order, he chose a new religious name: Martin Maria de Porres. This name honored Martin de Porres, a famous Black friar, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. He finished his philosophy studies in 1949. He then continued studying theology. On June 4, 1955, he became a priest. Bishop William Scully ordained him in Albany, New York. Two of his sisters came to his ordination. He also baptized his father before his father passed away.
Serving in Brazil
After becoming a priest, Father Ward chose to work in the Conventuals' missions in Brazil. Many African-American Catholic priests at that time went overseas. This was because most U.S. bishops would not let Black priests serve in their local areas. So, many early African-American priests worked in other countries.
Father Ward quickly learned Portuguese. He became a teacher in South America. He also served as a pastor (a church leader), a chaplain (a spiritual leader), and helped people discover if they wanted to become priests. Other Black priests in the U.S. noticed his important work. Father George Clements wrote about Father Ward in his 1975 book.
In 1985, Father Ward moved to Andrelândia in Brazil. There, he was a spiritual guide and teacher at a local seminary. He was known for his great sense of humor and his stories. He often shared about his journey to become a priest and his struggles against racism. In 1995, he was given the special title "Citizen of Andrelândia" for all his service.
His Final Years
On June 20, 1999, Father Ward felt symptoms of a heart attack during Mass. But he bravely continued the service. The next day, he had another heart attack while traveling to Rio de Janeiro. He passed away on June 22, 1999.
What is His Legacy?
A Path to Sainthood?
After Father Ward died, many people in Brazil felt a strong spiritual connection to him. This was especially true in Andrelândia, where he had served for so long. His burial place became a special spot where people would visit and pray. By 2022, two miracles were said to have happened there.
The local Conventual Franciscans began working to have him recognized as a saint. In June 2020, they received official permission from Bishop José Eudes Campos do Nascimento. The Conventuals then placed pictures of Father Ward in their churches. They also wrote a special prayer for him to become a saint. They have a website to share his life story and support his cause. As of summer 2022, the process for him to become a saint was being reviewed in Rome.
See also
- Black Catholicism
- Order of Friars Minor Conventual
- Catholic Church in Brazil
