Saint Martin was the illegitimate son to a Spanish gentleman and a freed slave from Panama. He was of African or possibly Native American descent. In his early years, he was ridiculed for being of mixed race. The only religious order that accepted him was the Dominican Convent of Rosary, where he worked menial tasks in order to obtain his habit. He prayed and focused on his many tasks, such as barbering, care-taking for people and animals, and cleaning. There are many stories of miraculous cures he administered to the sick. He died due to sickness but his miracles spread to many in the area.
