Happy Martinmas — the feast of St. Martin of Tours!

Happy Martinmas!

What you may know about St. Martin, holy bishop of Tours…

In his late teens St. Martin joined the Roman army and was posted to Amiens in Gaul. It was here that the famous incident of his cutting his cloak in half took place. One very cold day, Martin met a scantily clad beggar outside the gates of the city and moved with compassion, he cut his large cloak in two parts and gave one part to the poor man. That night in a dream he saw Jesus wearing the half-cloak he had given away and heard him say to the angels: “Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptised and he has clothed me“ (Sulpicius, Life of Martin, 2)

What you may not know…

A number of customs take place in rural communities around the season called Martinmas that are associated with generosity to beggars, cooperation and neighbourliness. For example, a pig or a cow is killed and cooked at this time and shared in honour of Martin. It is also a time for making black puddings and haggis.

To some degree the soldier and the beggar become one in St. Martin. It is a holy transformation that also marks the life of St. Francis of Assisi as it too echoes the path of Christ — to be a suffering servant king. We should remember that we are all of noble birth, in the baptism of Christ destined to serve and glory only in His work through our hands.

St. Martin pray for us and on this Remembrance Day bring our petitions for peace before the throne of the Almighty.

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Discover more about this incredible man:

Catholic Encyclopedia | http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09732b.htm

Nov 11 – St Martin of Tours (316-397): patron of France | http://www.catholicireland.net/saintoftheday/st-martin-of-tours-316-397-patron-of-france/