Why was San Martin de Porres important?

St. Martin de Porres is Patron of Peru. He was a member of the Dominican order, of African descent. His father was a Spaniard and his mother was a freed slave. He established an orphanage and children's hospital for the poor children of the slums. Set up a shelter for the stray cats and dogs and nursed them back to health. Lived in self-imposed austerity, never ate meat, fasted continuously, and spent much time in prayer and meditation with a great devotion to the Holy Eucharist.