What We Do

“That is not good,” says an ancient author, “which is only good for itself.” Every Christian, as such, is indispensably obliged to serve his neighbour, to whom he is bound by the holy tie of charity; but this active serviceable charity is more especially the spirit of the Order of St. Dominic, and ought ever to animate its children. Charity is the very end for which the order was instituted; it devotes all those who embrace it to the salvation of their neighbour, with this difference only, that whereas the religious of the First Order labour to advance this object by the ministry of preaching, which is their special characteristic, and which has gained for them the name of Friar Preachers, the brethren and sisters of the Third Order advance it on their part by the practice of works of mercy towards the afflicted. It is their duty to visit the sick, to exhort them to penance and to a patient suffering of their afflictions, to prepare them for receiving the last sacraments, to assist them in their agony, to serve them with diligence, and, if they be poor, to obtain for them temporal necessaries and comforts. Their zeal ends not here; for they may be seen waiting upon the poor and sick in the hospitals, visiting and consoling prisoners and pleading for their liberty, seeking out poor girls, even in the infamous places wherein they have prostituted themselves, for the purpose of drawing them from their disorderly life, and persuading them to embrace the exercise of Christian virtues. (1)

In keeping with the ancient tradition of the lay members of Dominican Order, our Chapter's main apostolate is serving the poor through the St. Martin de Porres Charity Hospital. It is a vineyard of the Lord where work is plentiful but laborers are few. 


BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES CHARITY HOSPITAL

Originally known as Blessed Martin de Porres Free Clinic, the St. Martin de Porres Charity Hospital (SMPCH) started a simple one-room clinic at the ground floor of the Convent of the Dominican Fathers in San Juan Rizal (now San Juan City) on September 27, 1959.

The setting up of a free clinic was the generous response of the members of the Dominican Tertiary (now Dominican Laity), headed by Dr. Aleli R. Guzman Quirino, O.P. to the Lord’s command of love, which served as an inspiration for them to give aid to the needy through medical and related services. Their determined concern to serve the poor was marked by their faith in the Divine Providence, and perseverance in good works. 

The Lord blessed the generosity of the laborers at SMPCH, and sent more generous co-workers to help the Dominican Laity in serving the poor. Through the generous donations of, and financial assistance from benefactors here and abroad, the then one-room clinic expanded to the present structure of two four-story buildings. 

Today, work at the SMPCH is a collaboration of the members of the Dominican Family (the Friars of the Province of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Religious Missionary Sisters of St. Dominic, and the members of our Chapter), and volunteers including doctors, nurses, other medical professionals, and para-socials.

VISION

St. Martin de Porres Charity Hospital envisions to be a quality and affordable health care provider to the less privileged members of society where the Administrative Officers and Medical Staff offer their services on a purely voluntary basis.

MISSION

Inspired by God’s love, the hospital fosters a work environment where volunteers, professionals and benefactors take active and compassionate interest in the patients they serve.

THE FIVE COMMITMENTS OF SMPCH

Improvised wheelchairs. 

1. Commitment to Quality Christian Service

At St. Martin de Porres Charity Hospital (SMPCH), Quality Service means more than just meeting the needs of its patients. It also means sincere Christian service which guarantees the hospital’s commitment to exceed the expectations of its patients, and to continuously improve its services.

2. Commitment to Patients

SMPCH commits to establish a dynamic and approachable environment to promote the holistic healing of SMPCH patients.

3. Commitment to Volunteers

SMPCH commits to provide appropriate environment, resources, and forum to all its Volunteers to foster their personal and professional development.

  

4. Commitment to Christian Charity

SMPCH commits to instill Christian Charity to all Persons in Charge by demanding personal and professional discipline.

5. Commitment to Christian Collaboration

SMPCH commits to foster an environment where Volunteers serve together to deliver true Christian service to poor patients.

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Notes:

(1) Feuillet, Jean Baptiste, O.P. Manual of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order of Penance of St. Dominic. London: Burns and Lambert, 1852