Saint Martin of Tours – Bishop and Confessor

Commemoration of Saint Mennas - Martyr

Martin, the son of a pagan Roman General, was born in the year 315 AD in the region that is now part of Hungary. He was baptized at age 18, became a monk and a priest and was eventually made bishop of Tours. He founded many monasteries and was widely known for his acts of charity, especially to the poor. He is probably most famous known through a legend that has become the popular substance of tradition and art. Here is the account: “Young Martin was stationed at Amiens, in Gaul, when the incident occurred which tradition and art have rendered so famous. As he rode towards the town one winter day, he noticed near the gates a poor man, thinly clad, shivering with cold, and begging alms. Martin saw that none who passed stopped to help the miserable fellow. He had nothing with him but the clothes he wore, but, drawing his sword from its scabbard, he cut his great woolen cloak in two pieces, gave one half to the beggar, and wrapped himself in the other. The following night, the story continues, Martin in his sleep saw Jesus Christ, surrounded by angels, and dressed in the half of the cloak he had given away. A voice bade him look at it well and say whether he knew it. He then heard Jesus say to the angels, ‘Martin, as yet only a catechumen, has covered me with his cloak.’ Sulpicius Severus, the saint’s friend and biographer, says that as a consequence of this vision Martin "flew to be baptized.’” (cf. http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/martin.htm) The words of the Gospel are fulfilled in this saint’s life! Remember these beautiful words of Jesus, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (cf. Matthew 25:31-46) May we always be mindful that God is with us, especially where we might least expect Him to be!