SMYRNA—Barbara Weiss gave a family heirloom, a relic of St. Martin de Porres, to Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory. It turns out Archbishop Gregory has a special devotion to the 16th-century saint.

St. Martin de Porres, a brother of the Dominican Order, was canonized in 1962 by Pope St. John XXIII. He is the patron saint of mixed-race people and all those seeking interracial harmony.

Weiss’ uncle, a priest, gave the relic to her mother. It came into her possession many years ago, but she wanted to make sure it had a good home. She phoned the archdiocese on Monday, Nov. 3, which unknown to Weiss, was the feast day of the saint.

The second-class relic is part of the garment worn by St. Martin. The relic will be placed in the chapel in the archbishop’s home.