Saint Martin de Porres

He was born in Lima on December 9, 1569, the son of a Spanish nobleman and a mulatto woman. Before entering the Dominican convent, he worked as a barber-surgeon. At first, he was accepted only as a lay helper, but later he professed as a Dominican brother.

He served as the community’s infirmarian, and in this role—as in every part of his life—he gave extraordinary examples of humility. He also stood out for his deep piety.

He died in Lima on November 3, 1639, and was canonized in 1962.