St. Martin of Tours

Martin of Tours was born around 316 in Sabaria, Pannonia (Hungary). His father, A military tribune, was transferred to Italy in Martin’s youth. Martin was obligated to enter the Roman army. Many in the Roman army were Christians and Martin was attracted to the faith. While stationed at Amiens, Gaul, he met a scantily clothed beggar shivering in the cold. Martin, who at this time was a catechumen preparing for baptism, cut his cloak in half to share with the man. Soon after he was baptized, Martin was released from military service. He then went to Poiters to study under St. Hilary, a wise, devout bishop. Shortly thereafter, Martin received bad treatment from the Arians in Lombardy when he went to visit his parents who lived there. During the visit, he learned that Hilary had been forced into exile by the Arians in Gaul, so Martin retreated to an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea and lived as a hermit. He returned to Gaul when St. Hilary was allowed to do so and with the permission of the saint, lived as a hermit for awhile. Many followers flocked to him and the Benedictine Abbey of Ligugé would eventually be founded on the spot. During his ten years as a hermit, Martin frequently preached the Gospel in western and central Gaul. In 371 or 372, Martin was elected Bishop of Tours. He refused the honor and only accepted when a certain Rusticus tricked him into traveling to Tours, by asking the saint to minister to his supposedly sick wife. Martin could not refuse when the people proclaimed him bishop by acclamation and he was consecrated on July 4. As bishop he lived a simple life, dwelling as a hermit outside the city, but governing his see with wisdom, prudence, and personal attention to his people. He pleaded for leniency for some heretics, who were about to be put to death by the emperor. The emperor granted his request, but latter gave into pressure from another bishop and had the men executed. Martin was grieved by this sad incident and angered at the bishop who pressured the emperor into it. Martin died around 397; he was deeply missed by the people of Tours. St. Martin of Tours is greatly revered by the French Church. His feast is November 11.