Saint Martin

Saint Martin c.316-397, bishop of Tours. Born a heathen in Pannonia (in modern Hungary), the son of a soldier, he became a convert and refused to fight Christians. He went (c.360) to St. Hilary of Poitiers and built himself a hermitage. In 371 he was acclaimed bishop, against his will. He continued to live as a monk in the monastery of Marmoutiers, near Tours, which became the training ground for Celtic missions. He was a staunch Catholic, but his zeal for orthodoxy did not prevent his withholding communion from those bishops who connived at the ruthless slaughter of the Priscillianist heretics. St. Martin was universally loved, and his cloak is a symbol of heroic charity (see chapel ). His principal shrine was at Tours. Feast: Nov. 11 (known in England as Martinmas). St. Martin's summer is an English counterpart of the American Indian summer; it occurs in mid-November around the time of Martinmas.

Martin, St (d. 397), Bp. of Tours and a patron saint of France. He was born of pagan parents in Hungary, either c.315 or c.336. Forced to adopt his father's profession of soldiering, he gave half his cloak to a naked beggar in Amiens. A subsequent vision of Christ led him to seek Baptism at the age of 18, though he remained in the Roman army until 356. In 360 he joined Hilary of Poitiers and founded the monastery of Ligugé. Elected Bp. of Tours c.371, he continued to practise and promote monasticism and was active in evangelizing the countryside. Priscillian's condemnation by a secular court led him to denounce secular interference in Church matters.

Feast day in the W., 11 Nov.; in the E., 12 Nov.

Martin, Saint (315–97) Bishop of Tours. Born a heathen, he became a Christian in his youth. As a Roman soldier, Martin is reputed to have torn his cloak to share it with a beggar. From 360, he lived as a monk and was acclaimed Bishop in 371 (against his will). His feast day is known as Martinmas.