Martin of Tours

Martin was born at Savaria in the province of Pannonia, now Hungary, and grew up in Pavia in Italy, the son of a Roman army officer. As the son of a veteran he was required to join the army. Stationed at Amiens in Gaul on a bitterly cold winter day, he met a nearly naked beggar at the city gate, cut his military cloak in half with his sword and gave half to the man. That night, according to his biographer, he dreamed of Christ wearing the half-cloak. He was baptized and later asked to leave the army, saying he was a soldier of Christ. He became a disciple of Hilary, bishop of Poitiers, and founded a community of hermits at Ligugé, one of the first monasteries in Gaul. In 371 the people of Tours chose him as their bishop, though he was reluctant. He lived simply in a monastery he founded at Marmoutier, traveled the countryside preaching, and opened churches. He also pleaded with the emperor against executing heretics. He died in 397. His life was written by his friend Sulpicius Severus.

Faith: Christian hermit and monk who became bishop of Tours; venerated as a saint. Source: Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)