Saint Martin of Tours
c. 316-397
Feast day: November 11
Born a pagan in Hungary, Martin became a catechumen after his Roman army officer father moved to Italy. He became a soldier who, according to tradition, gave half his cloak to a beggar and later had a vision of Christ wearing it. After his discharge from the military, he embraced religious life, founding the first monastery in France. Though declared bishop of Tours by local Catholics in 372, Martin continued to live a monastic life. He was the first nonmartyr venerated as a saint and given a liturgical feast. He is a patron saint of horses, the poor, soldiers and vintners as well as Saint Martin’s University in Lacey.
This article appeared in the October/November issue of Northwest Catholic magazine. Read the rest of the issue here.