St. Martin de Porres was a Peruvian friar, loved and honored by many for his services to humanity. Born in late sixteenth century, he had a very difficult childhood, not only having to deal with abject poverty, but also with social harassment because of his mixed racial heritage and illegitimate birth. However, instead of making him bitter, they taught him to be compassionate and prayerful. After working as an apprentice to a barber-surgeon for two years, he eventually joined the Convent of the Rosary as a lay-helper. But because of his services and prayerfulness, he soon began to be entrusted with greater responsibilities, eventually being allowed to take his religious vows in spite of his mixed racial heritage. Thereafter, he continued to serve the humanity, raising donations to help the downtrodden, building schools and orphanages, healing the sick. Also an animal lover, he is said to have the power to communicate with them.