Young Martin, born in the bustling city of Lima, Peru, felt the sting of societal differences from a young age. His mother was a freed slave from Panama, and his father a Spanish nobleman who largely neglected him because of his mixed heritage. This early exposure to discrimination fostered in him a deep empathy for the marginalized – the indigenous people, the enslaved, and the poor and sick of the city. He yearned to join a religious order and dedicate his life to God, but Peruvian laws at the time barred those of African or indigenous descent from becoming monks. Undeterred, Martin found a way to serve by volunteering at a Dominican monastery, accepting the most menial tasks. For eight years, he diligently cooked, cleaned, and nursed the sick, his dedication and kindness evident to all. Martin's dedication to the suffering knew no bounds. He nursed the sick with remarkable skill, and whispers of his miraculous cures spread throughout Lima. He was not only a skilled barber, pharmacist, physician, and surgeon, but also a comforting presence who brought hope to those facing debilitating diseases. His love extended to animals as well; one famous tale recounts how he persuaded mice to leave the monastery kitchen after the prior ordered poison, promising to feed them daily in the garden.