Today is Nov. 11, memorial of St. Martin of Tours, bishop.
At today’s Mass, St. Paul enjoins Titus, giving him the following criteria for a bishop: “For a bishop as God’s steward must be blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message as taught so that he will be able both to exhort with sound doctrine and to refute opponents” (Ti 1:7-9).
It may surprise you to know that St. Martin of Tours commanded one of the largest cults in the Middle Ages. I don’t mean he was the leader of a cult. I mean cult in the traditional sense: devotion. In fact, St. Martin’s tomb has been one of the most important pilgrimage sites in France. It was a key stop for pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Why was St. Martin so revered?
Born in Hungary and raised in Italy, Martin showed a strong inclination toward Christianity from a young age, even though he was forced into military service. Despite his role as a soldier, he maintained his piety, once famously tearing his cloak in half to clothe a freezing beggar. That night, he had a vision of Christ, who appeared wearing the half of the cloak Martin had given, proclaiming, “Martin, who is still but a catechumen, clothed me with this robe.”
After his baptism, Martin pursued a life devoted to God. Renouncing military service, he declared, “Hitherto I have served you as a soldier: allow me now to become a soldier to God.” He became a student of St. Hilary of Poitiers and, alongside his mentor, opposed the Arian heresy.
Chosen bishop of Tours in 371, he combined humility with pastoral care, continuing to live simply and establishing a monastic community. Martin’s dedication to the Faith extended to acts of bravery, fearlessly destroying pagan altars and statues. He refused to accept worldly honors and was known for his remarkable piety. His biographer Sulpitius Severus writes, “Never was there any word on his lips but Christ, and never was there a feeling in his heart except piety, peace, and tender mercy.”
St. Martin’s life, marked by miracles, healings and conversions, inspired many to the Faith. His story is a vivid example of a life entirely given over to Christian virtue, demonstrating that true greatness lies not in eloquence or worldly success but in humble service to God.
Today let us pray for those we know in military service, entrusting them to the care of St. Martin:
O God, who are glorified in the Bishop Saint Martin both by his life and death, make new, we pray, the wonders of your grace in our hearts, that neither death nor life may separate us from your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
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