St. Martin of Tours Feast Day - November 11th

Today is the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, bishop. He was the first bishop and confessor honored by the Church in the West. He was born in 315 or 316 in a Roman province that includes modern Hungary. His parents were pagans, and his father was a Roman army officer. As a child, he was spiritually hungry and was drawn to the Christian church. He became a catechumen when he was ten years old and spent time with God in contemplative prayer.

Martin was forced to join the army at 15 and was assigned to a ceremonial cavalry unit that protected the emperor. At the time he was still a catechumen. While in the army, he lived more like a monk than a soldier.

The most famous story concerning his life took place while he was on garrison duty in Gaul (France). On an extremely cold winter day, as he rode through the gates, he saw a beggar in ragged clothes. Martin slashed his mantle in two with his sword and gave half to the freezing man. That night, he dreamed that he saw Jesus wearing the half mantel he had given to the beggar. Martin was immediately baptized. He was 18. Later his zeal converted his mother and sisters.

Martin left the army and entered monastic life, living a quiet life until he was made bishop of Tours. He started churches all over France, was beloved by his people and worked many miracles. He died when he was over 80 years old on November 8th. He was buried on November 11th in the Cemetery of the Poor in Tours, at his request.

Franciscans are encouraged to read more about St. Martin's life as there are many similarities between him and St. Francis, both spiritually and in biographical events. This is further evidenced by the painting of St. Martin in the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi.

Saint Martin of Tours Renouncing the Sword,
by Simone Martini (c. 1321).
Located in the Lower Church of the
Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, Italy

The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order
Article 8

As Jesus was the true worshipper of the Father, so let prayer and contemplation be the soul of all they are and do.

Let them participate in the sacramental life of the Church, above all the Eucharist. Let them join in liturgical prayer in one of the forms proposed by the Church, reliving the mysteries of the life of Christ.