Saint Martin, Bishop of Tours

Life

Born in Pannonia, in a city of Styria, in the year 316, of pagan parents. His father was a Roman officer, and thus young Martin was also given, against his will, to military service. Meanwhile he had already been enrolled as a catechumen in the Christian Church, which he loved with all his heart from early childhood. Traveling one winter with his companions toward the city of Amiens, he saw before the gates of the city a beggar who, all but naked, was trembling from the cold. Martin took pity on him, fell behind his companions, took off his military cloak, and with his sword cut it in two: one half he gave to the beggar, and with the other he wrapped himself, and went on. That night the Lord Christ appeared to him in a dream, wrapped in that half of his cloak, and said to His angels: "Martin is still only a catechumen, and yet he has clothed Me with his own garment!" Upon leaving the army, Martin was immediately baptized and baptized his mother as well. After that he was tonsured a monk in the diocese of Saint Hilary of Poitiers and led a life of true asceticism. He was extraordinarily humble, and because of his humility God gave him an abundant gift of wonderworking, so that he even raised the dead and cast out evil spirits. Against his will he was appointed Bishop of Tours. After abundant labor in the vineyard of the Lord, after a painful struggle with both pagans and Arian heretics, Saint Martin surrendered his holy soul into the hands of his Lord in 397.