Martin de Porres

Martín de Porres Velázquez 9 December 1579 – 3 November 1639 was a Peruvian lay brother of the Dominican Order who was beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI in addition to canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII. He is the patron saint of mixed-race people, barbers, innkeepers, public health workers, as living as all those seeking racial harmony.

He was covered for his gain on behalf of the poor, establishing an orphanage and a children's hospital. He continues an austere lifestyle, which indicated fasting and abstaining from meat. Among the many miracles attributed to him were those of levitation, bilocation, miraculous knowledge, instantaneous cures, and an ability towith animals.

Iconography

Martin de Porres is often depicted as a young mixed-race friar wearing the old habit of the Dominican lay brother, a black scapular and capuce, along with a broom, since he considered all work to be sacred no matter how menial. He is sometimes presents with a dog, a cat and a mouse eating in peace from the same dish.