November 11
St. Martin of Tours
Since today is Veterans Day, it is fitting that the saint of the day is the patron saint of soldiers.
Martin was born in 315 or 316 in Pannonia, in what is now
Hungary. From an early age he desired to be a Christian, even though his family
worshiped the traditional Roman gods. He was made a catechumen at the age of
ten, but due to his forced conscription into the Roman army, was not baptized a
Christian until he was 18.
Martin performed works of mercy in every aspect of his life.
During his forced service in the army, he refused to take a life. He spent much
of his service as an imperial guard, rather than in battle. When approached by
a homeless man freezing from cold, Martin cut his cloak in two, to share with
the beggar. He was later visited by a vision of Jesus wearing half of the cloak.
Martin worked throughout his life Martin spoke out for those
in prison. He protested state sanctioned torture and the murder of criminals.
He spoke to leaders and prison keepers and convinced them to free their
prisoners. While he went door to door evangelizing people for Christianity, he
spoke fervently against capital punishment and imprisonment for heresy,
maintaining that it was a spiritual matter and should be left to the church.
St. Martin’s monastic life style and prayerful meditation
led him to have many visions. For a more detailed account of his life visit: Catholic.org
Links of Interest:
St. Martin's Bags from Catholic Cuisine
An explanation of St. Martin's Day celebrations in Germany from Travels Through Germany
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