Thursday, November 11, 2021
St. Martin of Tours was a 4th century soldier in the Roman military. He lived during a time when Christianity had become legalized in the Roman Empire. He was a catechumen – one being instructed in the Catholic faith in preparation for baptism. He refused to continue fighting after his baptism. “I am the soldier of Christ: it is not lawful for me to fight.”
He later started a monastery in the city of Tours in France. He evangelized the people in the region and later became bishop.
A popular story about St. Martin of Tours recounts that when a soldier and approached by a beggar, he cut off half of his cloak and gave it to the beggar. That night, Jesus appeared to him in a dream and said, “Martin, who is still but a catechumen, clothed me with this robe.”
St. Martin of Tours is the patron saint of conscientious objectors, soldiers, tailors, the poor, and winemakers. His feast day is November 11.
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