St. Martin of Tours
Martin was born in what is now Hungary in 316 son of an officer in the Roman army. He became a follower of St Hilary at Poitiers and was baptised at age 18. Just before a battle, Martin announced that his faith prohibited him from fighting. Charged with cowardice, he was jailed, and his superiors planned to put him in the front of the battle. However, the invaders appealed for peace, the battle never occurred, and Martin was released from military service at Worms.
Trying to live his faith, he refused to let his servant to wait on him.
Once, while on horseback in Amiens in Gaul (modern France), he encountered a beggar. Having nothing to give but the clothes on his back, he cut his heavy officer's cloak in half, and gave it to the beggar. This is, probably the act that people most remember him by. Later he had a vision of Christ wearing the cloak. Jesus told a parable about this type of kind deed in Matthew's gospel, Chapter 25, from verse 34 to 40.
On a visit to Lombardy to see his parents, he was robbed in the mountains - but managed to convert one of the thieves. At home he found that his mother had come to trust in Jesus, but his father had not.
He took up the hermit's life and founded the monastry of Liguge near Poitiers in France in 360. He is regarded as the virtual founder of Western monasticism. His monastry was used a spring-board to evangelise rural France. Many of those who passed through the monastry went on to become Bishops. Saint Patrick of Ireland was perhaps one of these. Martin founded many monastries and churches in France and is the patron Saint of France.
In 372 he was chosen Bishop of Tours by popular acclaim at Marmoutier, which then produced a thriving monastery. In an age when Christianity was largely confined to towns, Martin saw monasteries as a way of promoting rural evangelisation based on spiritual centres. He himself was a most industrious Bishop, carrying out frequent visitations and defending doctrine.
Martin's followers were distressed when he told them he knew he was near death, but the saint entrusted himself to the Lord's will in the words: "Lord, if your people still have need of my services, I will not avoid the toil. Your will be done. I have fought the good fight long enough. Yet if you bid me continue to hold the battle line in defence of your camp, I will never beg to be excused from failing strength. I will do the work you entrust to me. While you command, I will fight beneath your banner."
He died on November 8th, 397. November 11th is the anniversary of his burial at Tours. By his request, he was buried in the Cemetery of the Poor. His great popularity as a saint was promoted largely by the biography of him, written by his friend Sulpicius Severus.
In England, 'Martinmas' was a key time of the year; it was the time for hiring new servants and for beginning to salt meat to last the winter through.
St. Martin's example is a challenge.