St. Martin of Tours
Feast day: November 11
Born in Hungary, Martin was the son of a pagan army officer. His family relocated to Italy and, at the age of 15, he joined the military. One day, he encountered a freezing beggar and generously cut his military cloak in half to provide for the poor man. That night, he experienced a vision of Christ wearing the half-cloak. This experience led Martin to leave the army and convert to the Christian faith. As a disciple of St. Hilary of Poitiers, Martin pursued a life of asceticism as a hermit before embracing monastic life. He went on to establish the first monastery in France. The people of Tours appointed him their bishop in 371. Martin died in 397. He is patron of soldiers and of tailors.
Collect
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.
