Martin of Tours was the third bishop of Tours. He has become one of the most familiar and recognizable Christian saints in France, heralded as the patron saint of the Third Republic, and is patron saint of many communities and organizations across Europe. He was born in in Savaria, Pannonia. Martin's parents were pagans, but at the age of 10, Martin chose to respond to the call of the Gospel and become a Christian.

At the age of fifteen, Martin was required to follow his father into the cavalry corps of the Roman military. As a young soldier, Martin encountered a beggar in Amiens. The beggar was unclothed, and it was very cold. Martin removed his cloak and with his sword, he cut it in half. He gave this half to the beggar and dressed himself in the remnant. That night, Martin had a vision in which Christ appeared to him. The vision spoke to him, "Martin, a mere catechumen has clothed me."

At the age of 20, Martin made it clear to his superiors that he wishes to quit the military service. This happened before a battle near the modern German city of Worms. His superiors accused him of cowardice and ordered that he be imprisoned. Martin offered to demonstrate his sincerity by going into battle unarmed. but before the battle could occur, the opposing army agreed to a truce and no conflict took place. Martin was subsequently released from military service.

Now out of the military service, Martin could fully dedicate himself to service of Jesus Christ and the Church. He travelled to Tours where he began studying under Hilary of Poitiers.

Martin managed to lead his own mother to faith in Jesus Christ. However, his attempt to persuade his father did not succeed.

He became involved in countering the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. The reaction against him was so violent from the Arian leaders that he was compelled to flee. Martin took up residence on an island in the Adriatic where he lived as a hermit for a time.

Martin established a monastery which would be inhabited by the Benedictines. From the site of his abbey, he worked to bring people to faith in Jesus Christ and Baptism into His Church in the surrounding areas. He was an extraordinary evangelist.

Martin was ordained to the office of Bishop in 371, at the insistence of the faithful, though he refused to accept the position. As a Bishop Martin established a system of parishes to manage his diocese. He made a point to visit each parish at least once per year. Martin combated paganism and proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ passionately and faithfully and won many to the Christian faith.

Yet, he longed for more prayer and wanted to pursue a monastic life. In the year 372 Martin established an abbey at Marmoutier so he could retreat there and live as a monk with the many disciples he had attracted.

Martin died in Candes-Saint-Martin, Gaul in 397.

Saint Martin is the patron of the poor, soldiers, conscientious objectors, tailors, and winemakers. Many locations across Europe have also been placed under his patronage.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Aba Mina
2. Saint Athenodorus
3. Saint Bertuin
4. Saint Cynfran
5. Saint Mercurius