In the Roman Catholic Liturgical Calendar, November 11th is celebrated as the Feast of St. Martin of Tours, a much-loved monastic precursor to St. Benedict of Nursia in western Europe. Although he was born into a pagan, military family in the region of modern-day Hungary during the early part of the fourth century, at the age of 10 he found himself attracted to Christianity. As a youth of the Roman Empire, he was forced into military service. According to Martin’s biographer, Sulpicius Severus, Martin petitioned the emperor to be released from military service, claiming that he was a soldier of Christ and was not allowed to fight. Refusing to engage in battle, he was imprisoned and eventually discharged from the army.
According to legend, while Martin was a catechumen yet still a soldier, he came across a beggar. In a spirit of charity, Martin cut his cloak in two and gave the beggar one of the halves to keep warm. Jesus appeared to Martin in a dream that night clothed in the torn cloak given to the beggar. In the morning Martin discovered that his own cloak was fully restored. This experience led Martin to hurry up his religious instruction and be baptized at the age of eighteen.
After leaving the army, Martin settled in Poitiers where he came to know Hilary, the bishop of Poitiers. For a period of time, Martin traveled to the Balkan Peninsula and Italy as a missionary and to oppose the Arian heresy which rampant at the time. In 360, he returned to Poitiers and established a monastic community of hermits at Ligugé, the first monastery in Gaul. The monastic life lived by these hermits was not governed by a written rule but was focused on a life of poverty, simplicity and prayer.
In 371, Martin was elected Bishop of Tours and in this role continued his missionary activities, spreading Christianity and monastic life in the region. He died in 397 and was one of the few non-martyrs of the Early Church to be publicly venerated as a saint. The Life of Martin, written shortly after the saint’s death, spread his influence quickly and widely.
St. Martin models for us the inseparable connection between faith and action. Real Christianity is far more than a religion; it is a life lived in the true spirit of Christ. Does your relationship with the Risen Christ animate your actions each day?
By Sister Therese Haydel, OSB