St. Martin of Tours – The “Soldier Saint”

St. Martin of Tours Biography

St. Martin of Tours was a Christian saint and bishop who lived in the 4th century AD. He is the patron saint of France, and his feast day is celebrated on November 11th.

Martin was born in the Roman province of Pannonia, which is now modern-day Hungary. His father was a senior officer in the Roman army, and Martin was raised in a Christian household. He joined the Roman army himself as a young man, and it was while he was serving as a soldier that he had the experience that would change the course of his life.

One winter day, Martin encountered a beggar who was nearly naked and shivering with cold. Moved with compassion, Martin cut his own cloak in half and gave one half to the beggar to keep him warm. That night, Martin had a dream in which Jesus appeared to him, wearing the half of the cloak that Martin had given away. This dream convinced Martin that he needed to devote his life to serving Christ, and he left the army soon afterwards.

Martin traveled to Poitiers in Gaul, now France, where he became a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers, who was a great Christian leader of the time. Martin eventually became a monk, and he lived a life of great simplicity and holiness. He also became known for his ability to perform miracles, and many people came to him for healing and guidance.

Despite his desire for a solitary life, Martin was eventually ordained as a bishop, against his will, in 371 AD. He served as the bishop of Tours for the rest of his life, during which he continued to lead a life of holiness, and to perform many charitable works, helping the poor and the sick. He also devoted himself to spreading the Christian faith and converting the locals of Gaul.

Martin worked to convert not only the people of Gaul, but also the Germanic tribes that had settled in the region. He personally visited the court of the king of the Visigoths, and was able to convert many of the tribespeople to Christianity.

As his reputation grew, Martin became a friend and advisor to many important figures of his time, including Saint Ambrose, Saint Augustine and Saint Jerome. He was also involved in the Councils of Arles, where many important decisions were made regarding the governance of the early Christian Church.

Martin died on November 8, 397, at Candes-Saint-Martin, and was buried in the cemetery of the church of Saint-Martin-le-Vieux. But his tomb became a site of pilgrimage and miracles, leading to the construction of the Basilica of St Martin of Tours, one of the most visited pilgrimage site of Gaul and Western Europe during the Middle Ages.

The Life of St. Martin of Tours

Saint Martin of Tours is often called the “soldier saint”, a holy man who left his post as a soldier of the Roman Army in exchange for being a “soldier of Christ” and later a monastic monk and bishop. Yet he did not make a career of being a soldier. Saint Martin of Tours served in the army only for a rather short period in his youth. We usually associate obedience with a soldier, however, and St. Martin’s career was marked by perfect obedience to the will of God. Therefore he might well be called God’s Soldier.

When Martin was born in 316, the Christians of the Roman Empire were enjoying a period of peace. The tenth, and last, of the great persecutions had ended three years earlier. The Church was coming out of the catacombs. Now it faced a tremendous job of building and of converting the pagans. Martin was to play a big part in this work.

Early Years Fighting for the Roman Army

Saint Martin was not born a Christian. He was born to a pagan family in what is now Hungary. When he was very young his father, a tribune in the Roman army, was transferred to Pavia in northern Italy. Here, St. Martin became interested in the Christian religion. When he was ten years old, he became a catechumen – which was the name given to a person taking instructions. When Martin was fifteen he joined the Roman army at the command of his father. He became a cavalryman and was stationed in Gaul, which is now France.

One cold day in 335 when Martin was coming through the gates of Amiens with his fellow legionnaires, he saw a beggar sitting by the side of the road. The man was poorly clad and shaking with the cold as he held out his hands for alms. Nobody paid any attention to the miserable creature. Martin had no money with him so he drew out his sword, cut his cloak into two pieces, and gave one piece to the beggar.

That night in a dream Martin saw Jesus Christ wrapped in the half of the cloak he had given away. He heard our Lord say to the angels around Him: “The catechumen Martin covered me with his garment.” Martin’s earliest biographer tells us that after this dream Martin “flew to be baptized.”

Martin served his required five years in the army, and then he felt that God was calling him to another kind of life. He asked to be discharged from the army. His commanding officer was angry because he was expecting an attack by the Germans. He accused Martin of cowardice.

Stung by the accusation, Martin asked to be assigned to the place of greatest danger in the forthcoming battle, and he promised to hold the position unarmed. Unexpectedly, German envoys came seeking peace, and there was no battle. Those who knew Martin attributed the bloodless victory to his prayers. He received his discharge.

A Solder of Christ

For the next thirty years or so, Martin spent most of his time as a hermit. He founded a hermitage about four miles from Poitiers, in Gaul. This developed into a great monastery. He made a trip across the Alps to visit his parents in Hungary. He converted his mother but only enraged his father. On this trip, he was captured by robbers and succeeded in converting one of them. When heretics gained control of Poitiers, he spent ten years in Italy. Then he re turned to Poitiers. He became a priest so he could minister to his fellow hermits.

In those days it was the custom for the clergy and people of a diocese to select their own bishop. When the Bishop of Tours died, the priests and people said they wished Martin for their bishop. The idea frightened Martin. He had not wanted even to be a priest. He declined the invitation and said that he would continue to be a hermit.

The people of Tours were not to be denied. They asked him to make a sick call, a request he could hardly refuse. Then they went out to meet him and tell him that they demanded him for their bishop. Martin decided that this must be God’s will, and so he submitted.

The Humble Bishop of Tours

Martin refused the comfortable house which the people had provided their bishop and lived in a cell adjoining his church. Here he had so many visitors that he did not have enough time to pray. He withdrew to a cave in a secluded cliff about a half-hour’s walk from the church. Other monks came to join him and occupied similar cliffs. This was the origin of the great monastery of Marmoutiers.

But Martin could no longer live a hermit’s life. He was a bishop now, a bishop in a Church just emerging from three centuries of persecution. There was much work to be done, and Martin threw himself into it. This was not the lifework he would have chosen, but it was God’s will, and he determined to do his best.

On the cliff near his cave Martin started a school. He taught some of the courses himself, and his monks taught others. Here, boys and young men were trained in their religion and in other subjects. Some of the students went on to become priests, priests that were so greatly needed by the newly liberated Church.

Martin himself traveled to every part of his diocese, strengthening the faith of those who were born Catholics, bringing the word of God to the pagans. Everywhere, he tore down pagan temples and erected Christian chapels. Then he left a priest or a monk to build the new parish.

Miracles of St. Martin of Tours

At Amboise, Martin found a tall stone tower which the pagans venerated as being sacred to their gods. Martin left a priest there and told him to have the tower destroyed.

When Martin returned some time later, he found the tower was still standing. The priest told him that no workman would lay his hands on it. Martin turned to God. He prayed all night long. Then a terrible storm arose and demolished the tower without destroying anything else. As usual Catholic chapel was built on the site.

Once as Martin was pulling down a temple a man attacked him sword in hand. The bishop bared his breast to him. The pagan lost his balance, fell backward, and was so terrified he begged for forgiveness. Marvelous tales are told of miracles wrought through Martin, even of dead people being restored to life.

After twenty-six years as bishop, Martin was stricken while visiting Cannes. He felt that his death was approaching. He insisted upon lying on the floor as usual and he insisted that the floor be covered with ashes. His followers wept and begged him not to leave them.

Martin prayed: “O Lord, if I can be of any further use to your people, I do not refuse the work. Thy will be done.” These words are the key to the saint’s life. He never refused any work that God wished him to do. As a soldier he had learned obedience, and during his whole life he had been obedient to the will of God.

May we all be like St Martin, generous witnesses of the Gospel of love and tireless builders of jointly responsible sharing.

Popular St. Martin of Tours Medal and St. Martin of Tours Rosary

Prayers to St. Martin of Tours

Repeat the prayer below every day for nine days as a Novena to St. Martin of Tours.

Blessed Saint Martín of Tours,
full of the Spirit of the Lord
always having inexhaustible charity for the needy.

You, who full of love and generosity
when you saw the beggar that was freezing from cold,
without knowing that in truth he was Christ,
did not doubt to give him half of your cape,
and did not give it completely to him
since the other half belonged to the Roman army;
you, who did not seek recognition
but only to favor your neighbor,
found glory before the Lord.
And when the Savior appeared to you
dressed with the half-cape
so as to express appreciation for your gesture
and He told you “today you covered me with your mantle”,
you decided to no longer serve the army
and to dedicate your life to God
and to the salvation of souls,
being from then on a propagator of the faith
and a holy man totally dedicated
to whomever was in need.

Glorious Saint Martin,
you who worked miracles and prodigies,
who with joy, amiability and
the most exquisite goodness
won over the hearts of all
and did not cease to ever work for their wellbeing:
give me your hand and help me to come out
of all lack and scarcity
which today afflicts me and weighs me down.

Glorious Saint Martin, my blessed patron,
I humbly ask you with great faith
that you attain from God,
the fount of all Mercies
that my ways on this earth,
my work and my toils
be cleansed and opened with clarity.
In the name of Omnipotent God,
Saint Martin of Tours,
remove all that harms me
and give me work and prosperity.
O blessed relief, give me your saintly protection,
assist me, I beg you, in these difficult times:

(mention your request here)

Concluding Prayer

You, noble Saint Martin, who have miraculous power
take my supplications with haste to the Heavens,
ask for my home all that is good;
may sorrows, ruins and miseries leave,
and may the Lord deign I merit
blessed fortune in my work (business),
and with it, abundance and prosperity,
so I may give freely to all in need.

Saint Martin, blessed Bishop of Tours,
may your virtues and charity
accompany me always.
I will not cease to pray to you
and to thank Almighty God
for all the favors granted;
and I promise to be charitable
and giving with all my brothers and sisters in need.

Saint Martin please intercede for me;
free and protect all my loved ones and I
from all that is evil.

Amen.

Prayer to St. Martin of Tours

Dear St. Martin of Tours, you were known for your courage, compassion, and your commitment to serving others. I turn to you today, asking for your intercession and guidance as I seek to follow in your footsteps.

Help me to live a life of selflessness and charity, as you did. May I have the courage to stand up for what is right, even in the face of opposition. And may I always have a heart full of love and compassion for those in need, especially the poor and the marginalized.

Amen.

A prayer for the Protection of St. Martin of Tours

Dear St. Martin of Tours, I pray for your protection today, that I may be guarded by your example and your deep devotion to God. Protect me from harm, both physical and spiritual, and keep me safe from all danger.

And may I always be guided by the light of the Lord, and live my life in a manner that brings glory to His name. Amen.

A prayer for the Intercession of St. Martin of Tours

Dear St. Martin of Tours, I turn to you today in need of your intercession. You were known for your courage, compassion, and your commitment to serving others, and I ask that you intercede for me and for all those in need of your help.

Please pray for those who are struggling in their faith, that they may find comfort and hope in their trials. Pray for those who are seeking a deeper relationship with God, that they may find what they are looking for. And pray for all of us, that we may grow in our faith and deepen our own relationships with the Lord. Amen.

 

St. Martin of Tours: Patron Saint of Soldiers, Horsemen, and the Poor

St. Martin of Tours is the patron saint of soldiers, horsemen, and the poor. This designation stems from his life as a soldier, his deep devotion to God, and his commitment to helping those in need.

St. Martin was a soldier in the Roman army, but he is perhaps best known for his acts of kindness and compassion. He was known for his deep faith and his unwavering commitment to serving God, and he used his position and his resources to help those in need. He was particularly dedicated to helping the poor and the marginalized, and he became known for his acts of generosity and selflessness.

In recognition of his devotion to God, his service to the poor, and his bravery as a soldier, St. Martin was made the patron saint of soldiers, horsemen, and the poor. Those who venerate him believe that he brings a special grace and protection to those who serve in the military, to those who work with horses, and to those who are struggling with poverty.

For those who are serving in the military, working with horses, or facing financial difficulties, St. Martin is a source of inspiration and encouragement. He reminds us that no matter what our circumstances may be, our faith in God and our commitment to helping others can sustain us and give us the strength to endure. Whether we are serving in the military, working with horses, or simply in need of comfort and support, St. Martin is there to guide and support us on our journey.

Reflection on the feast day of St. Martin of Tours

The feast day of St. Martin of Tours is celebrated on November 11th.

St. Martin of Tours was a bishop and soldier who lived in the 4th century AD. He is known for his deep faith, his devotion to God, and his charitable works. He is considered one of the most popular saints in the Western Church and his feast day is celebrated in many countries, including France, where he is the patron saint.

On the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, we remember his deep faith, his devotion to God and his charitable works. He serves as a powerful example of how one person can make a significant impact on the world through their devotion to God and their willingness to serve others.

One of the things that stands out about St. Martin of Tours is his charitable works. He was known for his generosity and his willingness to help the poor and the needy. He is a reminder to us that we are called to serve others, to love our neighbor, and to make a difference in the world.

As we celebrate the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, let us take inspiration from his example of deep faith, devotion to God and his charitable works. Let us be reminded that, as followers of Christ, we are called to love and serve others, and to make a difference in the world.

In addition, let us also remember St. Martin of Tours as a patron saint of France, and how his actions helped to shape the spiritual and cultural identity of France. Let us take this opportunity to reflect on the role of saints in our lives and how their examples can inspire us to live more fully for God and to help others.

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Saints Similar to St. Martin of Tours

You may also be interested in reading the St. Malachy O’More and the Biography of St. Margaret of Scotland and the Biography of St. Mark the Evangelist. These saints share connections through their contributions to the Christian faith and their dedication to serving others. St. Martin of Tours was a renowned bishop and patron of France. St. Malachy O’More was an Irish archbishop. St. Margaret of Scotland played a significant role in promoting Christianity in Scotland. St. Mark the Evangelist wrote the Gospel of Mark. Next up: Biography of St. Mary Mackillop

 

Also check out our handmade St. Martin of Tours Medal and St. Martin of Tours Rosary and St. Martin of Tours Rosary Bracelet.