A Prayer to St Martin de Porres

To the side is the image of the mulatto saint of the broom--of menial work-- and of social and racial justice, after whom I was named. He is also the patron saint of the poor, of Biloxi, of public education, of television, of black and biracial people, and of innkeepers and hairdressers. But for the fact that he was around over four hundred years ago, he would be a daytime cable channel in himself.

The picture and the humility it represents stands in contrast to the general intolerance of most of the 'progressive left', of whom I have almost had enough.

Is it possible to reconcile a broadly libertarian idea of freedom with social justice and with the idea of a tolerant public space? Or even of any manners, or any capacity to reason rather than rationalise? Or of pragmatism and utility in public administration?

Is it in fact possible, in the modern west, to be allowed to function without paying lip service to stupid and dangerous ideas of unreason and moral anarchy, which demand obedience to patently falsified or falsifiable dogma, of the sort that emerge at the fall of empires?

To you Saint Martin de Porres we prayerfully lift up our hearts filled with serene confidence and devotion. Mindful of your unbounded and helpful charity to all levels of society and also of your meekness and humility of heart, we offer our petitions to you. Pour out upon our families the precious gifts of your solicitous and generous intercession; show to the people of every race and every colour the paths of unity and of justice; implore from our Father in heaven the coming of his kingdom, so that through mutual benevolence in God men may increase the fruits of grace and merit the rewards of eternal life. Amen.