St. Martin of Tours

Their story

Martin was born around 316 in what is now Hungary, the son of a Roman army officer. Drawn to Christianity as a boy, he became a catechumen, but he was required to serve as a soldier. One freezing winter day at the gates of Amiens in France, he met a poor man with almost no clothing. Martin drew his sword, cut his military cloak in half, and gave half to the beggar. That night he dreamed of Jesus wearing the half cloak, saying that Martin had clothed him. Martin was soon baptized. He later left the army, saying he was now a soldier of Christ. He became a disciple of St. Hilary of Poitiers and founded one of the first monasteries in Gaul. In 371 the people of Tours wanted him as their bishop. According to legend, Martin hid in a barn to avoid being chosen, but the honking of geese gave him away. As bishop, Martin lived simply, preached in the countryside, cared for the poor and prisoners, and spread the faith throughout the region. He died in 397. He was one of the first saints honored who was not a martyr, and the word chapel comes from the shrine that held his cloak.