His father

was a rich white man, his mother was a poor unwed black girl, and Martin grew up in poverty.

When he was eleven, he started doing menial jobs for a Dominican priory. Eventually he was received into the order. He helped establish an orphanage, a hospital for the poor, and even an animal shelter. He also was devoted to constant prayer and penance.

St. Martin de Porres died on this very day in 1639 and was canonized by Blessed John XXIII in 1962.