John Standifird

Martin was born around the year 316 in what is now Hungary, and grew up in Pavia, Italy. His parents were pagan, and his father, a Roman military officer, expected his son to follow him into the army. Despite his parents’ objections, Martin was drawn to Christianity as a child. At about ten, he sought instruction in the faith, and by twelve he was dreaming of a life devoted to prayer. At fifteen, Martin was compelled to enter military service. Even before his baptism, he shared his pay with people in need and treated the attendant assigned to serve him as a brother. His fellow soldiers noticed his kindness, patience, and unusually simple way of living. During a bitter winter, Martin encountered a poorly clothed man begging at the gates of Amiens, in present-day France. People were passing without stopping, and Martin had little left to give. Drawing his sword, he cut his woolen military cloak into two pieces, giving half to the shivering man and wrapping himself in the remainder. His biographer says some onlookers laughed at the soldier wearing a shortened cloak, while others felt ashamed that they had done nothing. That night, according to his friend and early biographer, Sulpicius Severus, Martin saw Jesus in a dream wearing the piece of cloak he had given away. Jesus told the angels, “Martin, who is still but a catechumen, clothed me with this robe.” Martin was still preparing for baptism when he had recognized another person’s need and responded. Soon afterward, he was baptized. In time, Martin sought release from the army so he could devote himself more fully to Christ. During a visit to his family, he helped his mother embrace Christianity, although his father remained pagan. Martin became a priest and established a monastic community at Ligugé, near Poitiers, combining prayer and a simple life with preaching in the surrounding countryside. The people of Tours wanted Martin as their bishop, but getting him to accept required a little ingenuity. A man approached him claiming that his wife was ill and needed help. Martin immediately agreed to come, only to discover that a crowd had gathered to bring him to Tours. Some bishops objected to his shabby clothing and untidy appearance, but the people recognized his holiness, and Martin reluctantly accepted the responsibility. As bishop, he continued living simply and founded the monastery of Marmoutier outside Tours. He traveled through rural communities, taught the faith, cared for the sick, and intervened for prisoners. His concern for human dignity extended even to people whose religious teachings he opposed: he pleaded against executing them for their beliefs. Martin died after traveling to settle a dispute among clergy. He was buried on November 11, the date that became his feast day. He became one of the earliest widely venerated saints who had not died as a martyr. Patron Saint of * People experiencing poverty and homelessness * Soldiers * Conscientious objectors * Tailors * Winemakers Reflection Martin stopped when someone needed help, then shared something he was still using. We have opportunities like that every day: giving someone our time when we are busy, sharing a meal, or checking on a person who feels forgotten. Choose one person today and respond to a real need, even if it requires rearranging your plans. What can you share today that would make someone else’s burden lighter? November 11 is the feast day of Saint Martin of Tours. Credit: Maria Azula Kaczperski – at Sankertown, PA