COURSE PLAN SAINT MARTIN de PORRES THE STORY OF THE LITTLE DOCTOR OF LIMA, PERU COURSE PLAN METHODOLOGY: Saint Martin de Porres: The Story of the Little Doctor of Lima, Peru by Mary Fabyan Windeatt is represented by the abbreviation SMDP. Each weekly assignment is summarized in the first lines of the week s daily course plan. The specific daily assignments are outlined in the following lines indicated by the MON, TUES, WED and THUR abbreviations. We suggest assigning the weekly written assignment at the beginning of the week, to be completed by the following Monday. This will allow the student to think about the assignment while reading. The chapter study questions, chapter vocabulary and glossary are located in the Literature Study Question booklets available for purchase from. Answers should be given in complete written or oral sentences. This book is one of a series of biographies by Mary Fabyan Windeatt. It describes the seemingly ordinary yet amazing life of Martin de Porres, known for his healing gifts and love for all of God s creation. Children will be especially attracted to Martin s love for animals, and the touching stories of his special interactions with them. Characters: Martin A young boy whose father is a wealthy white man and whose mother is a poor black woman. Martin grows up to be a great saint. Jane Martin s little sister. Anna Velasquez The mother of Martin and Jane. She suffers greatly when the children s father leaves them, and she becomes bitter. Don Juan de Porres Martin and Jane s father. God touches his heart, and he begins to support his family once again. Don Diego de Miranda The uncle of Don Juan de Porres, who takes care of Martin and Jane. Marcelo de Rivero A doctor in Lima, who Martin serves as an apprentice for when he returns from a visit with his great-uncle. Father Prior The Dominican in charge of the community which Martin becomes a member of. Brother Michael The Dominican sacristan who tells Martin of Father Prior s order to poison the rats and mice that are nibbling on the altar cloths. Martin finds another solution. La Rosita St. Rose of Lima, who Martin frequently consults. Doña Catherine A wealthy lady whose arm Martin heals, shortly after his own death. SMDP MON WEEK 1 Chapter 1-7. Have the student look up all the vocabulary words for Chapters 1-7 in the glossary prior to reading. Study questions may be completed as the student reads or at the end of the week when reading has been completed. Written Assignment: Choose only one. 1) What does little Martin do with the coins his mother gives him, and why? What was he supposed to do, and how does he think his mother will feel about his decision? 2) When Martin is instructed to poison the rats and mice, does he do this? Why or why not? How does Martin s approach work out? Read Chapter 1-2 and answer Study Questions. Chapter 1. A Boy and a Beggar. Abandoned by his prestigious father, young Martin de Porres lives a life of poverty with his mother and sister. PP1
COURSE PLAN TUES WED THUR FRI Although his circumstances are difficult, Martin demonstrates resignation to the will of God and a deep concern for those who are even less fortunate than himself. Chapter 2. Martin and Jane. The children s father, Don Juan de Porres returns home to claim them, responding to the grace of God, who shows him how wrong it is to ignore his own family. Don Juan entrusts Martin and Jane to the care of his uncle, who sees to it that they are educated and properly provided for. The children flourish, and repay their uncle with affection and obedience. Read Chapter 3-4 and answer Study Questions. Chapter 3. The Little Doctor Martin and Jane return to Lima, to the great joy of their mother. Martin is a young man now and ready to make his own decisions. Desiring to help others, he becomes an assistant to the local doctor. His outstanding gifts in the area of healing become apparent. Chapter 4. Candles in the Dark. The young man acquires a well-deserved reputation for holiness. His landlady, wondering what he does with all the candles she provides at his request, finds him praying late into the night. Martin has been discerning what God s call is for his life. He decides to join the Dominicans. Read Chapter 5-6 and answer Study Questions. Chapter 5. A New Job. Martin is assigned his new duties, including cutting the hair of the community members. His insistence on following the rule earns disfavor in the sight of some, but favor in God s sight. In the meantime, Martin s special concern for the sick comes to the forefront once again. He is guided by God to the special service of Father Peter, who has a lame leg. Chapter 6. Life at Santo Domingo. Father Peter recovers. He gives the credit to Martin, who gives the credit to God. Then Martin intervenes on behalf of the rodents that have been ruining precious items in the sacristy. Instead of poisoning the little rats and mice, Martin feeds them in the barn. Read Chapter 7 and answer Study Questions. Chapter 7. Vacation in the Country. For their part, the tiny creatures never disturb the altar cloths again. Brother Michael, the sacristan, expresses amazement at this. Meanwhile, Martin offers to be sold as a slave, to ease the community s debt load. Father Prior sends him off for a vacation in the country instead. There, Martin befriends the local children, explaining to them what a Dominican Tertiary is and instructing them in the love of God. Work on this week s written assignment, due Monday. Notes SMDP MON WEEK 2 Chapters 8-13. Have the student look up all the vocabulary words for Chapters 8-13 in the glossary prior to reading. Study questions may be completed as the student reads or at the end of the week when reading has been completed. Written Assignment. Choose only one. 1) How does Martin treat the girl orphans, his niece Catherine, and the animals he encounters? 2) How does Martin s death take place? Mention at least three unusual things about it. Read Chapter 8-9 and answer Study Questions. Chapter 8. The New Lay Brother. Martin becomes a lay brother in the Dominican community. At first, Martin objects to receiving an honor for which he believes he is unworthy, but Father Prior insists. Therefore, in obedience, Martin accepts. While PP2
COURSE PLAN TUES WED THUR continuing his regular duties, Martin begins taking care of a variety of animals as well. Chapter 9. Martin and His Friends. Martin and his friend Brother John Masias reach out to the poor young women of Lima. In the meantime, a boy named Anthony seeks Martin s help with the illness of his mother. Martin takes Anthony to see La Rosita one day to be known as St. Rose of Lima who also prays for Anthony s mother. Read Chapter 10-11 and answer Study Questions. Chapter 10. A Busy Day. Anthony s mother recovers. Brother Thomas, however, sickens and finally dies. Martin prays for him, and Brother Thomas is brought back to life by the power of God. The Dominicans are amazed, and talk among themselves about the other wonders Martin has performed. Chapter 11. Martin s Young Neighbors. Martin demonstrates an ability to read souls, foiling an attempt by a novice in the community to take a coin from his drawer. Brother Ferdinand and a new community member named John Vasquez talk together about other marvels concerning Martin. Read Chapter 12-13 and answer Study Questions. Chapter 12. Martin Takes a Rest. By this time, Martin de Porres is growing old. His reputation for good works is now far-reaching. Told that he will be making a trip to Mexico, Martin answers that his next trip will be to Heaven. He predicts that he himself will die in four days time. Sadly, his prediction comes true. The Blessed Mother and other members of the Church Triumphant assist him at his deathbed. Chapter 13. Hero in Black and White. Hearing that the holy man has perished, crowds assemble. People everywhere important and ordinary, wealthy and poor come to say goodbye to this humble man who cured many, and made manifest the love of God to all. Work on this week s written assignment, due Monday. Students may answer the extra credit study questions. Notes SMDP MON to WED THUR FRI WEEK 3 Written Assignment: Congratulations! You have finished reading : The Story of the Little Doctor of Lima, Peru. Now you need to write a nice book report on the story. Written Assignment: Work on your book report. Review your paper to make sure everything you have written supports your thesis statement, and the entire paper has a gentle flow from one supported idea to the next. Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Rewrite the paper neatly if you are writing it in long hand. Study for the Final Exam. Review all your Study Questions, the vocabulary, and the characters. Final Exam. PP3
ASSIGNMENT ANSWER KEY WEEK 1: Written Assignment: Option 1) When Martin is instructed to poison the rats and mice, does he do this? Why or why not? How does Martin s approach work out? Martin doesn t poison them. He realizes that even the little rodents are God s creatures, too, and he wants them to be alive and happy. Martin instructs the small things to stay in the barn, and promises he will take care of them there. Martin keeps his part of the bargain, and the rats and mice do, too. Option 2) What does little Martin do with the coins his mother gives him, and why? What was he supposed to do, and how does he think his mother will feel about his decision? When Martin s mother sends him to market with three coins, she expects him to buy food for the family. Martin knows from experience she will not be pleased when he gives them to a poor old woman instead. He goes ahead and does this anyway, because he is already trying to please God and not men. WEEK 2 Written Assignment: Option 1) How does Martin treat the girl orphans, his niece Catherine, and the animals he encounters? For the local girls who were orphaned, he and his fellow religious find a way to provide dowries. This enables the girls to get married or to go into religious life themselves. For Catherine, Martin sends not one but six mantillas lace veils that Catherine wants, in order to be as well-dressed as her friends. Martin tends wounded animals, feeds hungry ones, and sees to it that they get along with one another. Option 2) How does Martin s death take place? Mention at least three unusual things about it. Martin is 60 years old when he begins having a lot of pain. He predicts the time of his own death, and is correct. Unusual things in addition to the prediction include: a vision of St. Dominic, St. Vincent Ferrer, and the Blessed Mother, Martin's body becoming warm again after death a fragrance like lilies in the air around him Little Francis not being afraid of Martin's dead body the cure of Dona Catherine's arm The fact that many dignitaries were present at his funeral could also be mentioned, even though this is not a supernatural thing. PP4
FINAL EXAM Part I. Plot Elements. Plot refers to the events in a story, or what happens. Arrange the following plot elements from : The Story of the Little Doctor of Lima, Peru in the order in which they occurred. (3 points each) 1. Martin and Jane go to live with their great-uncle, Don Diego de Miranda. 2. Martin takes a vacation in the country, befriending the local children while he is there. 3. Anthony seeks out Martin because of his ill mother, and Martin takes Anthony to see La Rosita. 4. The rats and mice that have been destroying the community s property are saved from death by poisoning, because Martin thinks of another plan. 5. Martin gives a few coins to a poor woman, even though his mother wanted him to use the coins to buy supplies for the family. 6. Father Peter s leg is cured. 7. Martin takes care of a wounded man, in the absence of Dr. de Rivero. 8. Ventura de Luna, Martin s landlady, wonders what is happening to all the candles. 9. Brother Thomas is restored to life. 10. Don Juan de Porres listens to God and decides to come and take care of his children, Martin and Jane. Part II. Character. The characters are the people or other actors (including animals) in a story. Write the name of the character being described. (3 points each) 1. grows up, gets married, and becomes the mother of a girl named Catherine. 2. is not afraid to leave young Martin in charge of his many patients. 3. Even though Martin doesn t want to, insists that Martin become a Dominican Tertiary. 4. Martin frequently communicates with, a very holy woman from Lima who also became a saint. 5. blames her own children for the predicament the family is in, because of the color of their skin. 6. is very upset about what the rats and mice have done to the altar cloths, and agrees with Father Prior that they should be poisoned. 7. Even though is reluctant to take in the children at first, he grows very fond of Martin and Jane and is sad to see them go home to Lima again. 8. The limp arm of is healed through Martin s intercession, even though Martin himself has just died. PP
FINAL EXAM 9. When passes away, people from far and near know that, in him, they have known a saint. 10. is a wealthy white man, who considers himself (for a while) too important to be bothered about his dark-skinned son and daughter. Part III. Vocabulary. If the italicized vocabulary word is being used correctly in the sentence, write yes on the line. If not, write no. (2 points each) 1. Brother Martin, how are you doing in the kitchen? Have you finished pealing those potatoes yet? asked Brother Michael. 2. When people got sick, Martin sometimes used ointment on their wounds. 3. Father Peter was especially pleased to be presented with a salad that had capers in it. 4. Martin, you re an absolute wonder! God is truly working through you! Father Prior said scornfully. 5. Don Juan de Porres, Don Diego de Miranda, the Viceroy, and the other important people in Peru were all known as Dominicans. 6. When the poor old woman saw young Martin on his way to market, she begged of him an alms. 7. Martin did a good job working for Dr. de Rivero, during the time when the doctor was Martin s apprentice. 8. Martin and some of his friends saw to it that girl orphans in Lima were provided with dowries. 9. It looks like Brother Thomas is going to die, said Brother Michael gravely. 10. Throughout his life, Martin de Porres was known to be unselfish, greedy, and mindful of the poor. Part IV. Essay. While the life of Martin de Porres seems, in some ways, to be quite dull and ordinary, the wonders that surrounded this man mark him as a great saint. In what ways was Martin s life ordinary? (mention at least three) In what ways was Martin s life extraordinary? (mention at least three) Express your answer in the form of two paragraphs. (20 points) PP
FINAL EXAM ANSWER KEY Part I. Plot. The plot elements should be arranged as follows: 5, 10, 1, 7, 8, 6, 4, 2, 3, 9 Part II. Character. 1. Jane 2. Dr. de Rivero 3. Father Prior 4. La Rosita 5. Anna Velasquez 6. Brother Michael 7. Don Diego de Miranda 8. Doña Catherine 9. Martin 10. Don Juan de Porres Part III. Vocabulary 1. No 2. Yes 3. Yes 4. No 5. No 6. Yes 7. No 8. Yes 9. Yes 10. No Part IV. Essay. While the life of Martin de Porres seems, in some ways, to be quite dull and ordinary, the wonders that surround this man mark him as a great saint. In what ways was Martin s life ordinary? (mention at least three). In what ways was Martin s life extraordinary? (mention at least three) Express your answer in the form of two paragraphs. (20 points) Answers will vary. Ways in which Martin s life was ordinary include the fact that he swept floors, cut hair, worked in the kitchen, and didn t achieve any great academic honors. Ways in which it was extraordinary include the many miracles attributed to him, his power of bilocation, and the sweet perfume that was perceived at the time of his death. PP