San Martin de Porres (full name Juan Martin de Porres Velázquez, December 9, 1579 - November 3, 1639) is one of Peru's most famous saints. He was born in Lima, the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a slave of African descent. Despite laws barring descendants of Africans and Indians from entering religious orders he was accepted by the Dominicans of the Holy Rosary Priory in Lima as a volunteer worker. He was particularly noted for his care of the sick (especially during the frequent epidemics of the time) and many miracles were attributed to him. He was beatified by Pope Gregory XVI on October 29, 1837, and canonized by Pope Saint John XXIII on May 6, 1962. He is nowadays the patron saint of people of mixed race, and of innkeepers, barbers, public health workers and others.