Saint Martin of Tours

A brave man with a peaceful heart

Martin is a well-known saint throughout European Christianity, who marked many when he decided to share his officer’s mantle with a poor man on a cold winter afternoon. He was born in Hungary, and at one point in his life was part of the Roman army out of obedience to his father. He stood out for being a brave man, but above all, a great disciple of Christ. Martin had many values, and his principle of conscientious objection made him disobey laws and orders, since he was aware that a Christian cannot shed the blood of his fellow man, not even in war. Furthermore, his kindness led him to willingly become a human shield against the adversary he was threatening back then. Unarmed, he surprisingly saw the enemy army turn their backs and flee far away. Later, he left the army and became a hermit. It did not take long for numerous disciples to join him in Ligugé, giving birth to the first monastic community in Gaul (Western Europe). Meanwhile, his followers wanted him to be their guide, having received many favors and graces from the Lord through him. For this reason, the people proclaimed him bishop of Tours, although he felt unworthy to hold that position. This is how Martin became a great evangelizer of the French territory.

Biography of Saint Martin of Tours

What is known of Saint Martin of Tours comes mainly from the book “Life of Saint Martin“, written by his disciple Sulpicius Severus in 397which was a great success in the Middle Ages.

Martin was born in Sabaria, Pannonia (a Roman province of Hungary now known as Szombathely), into a pagan family. In fact, he was the son of a Roman army veteran who commanded a 6,000-man legion, and he had great military ambitions for his son. For this reason, he made him enter the army when he was only fifteen years old. However, it didn’t take long for Martin to feel a deep desire to convert to Christianity and dedicate his life completely to God.

In the winter of 338, an event happened that would mark his life forever: while he was on duty in Amiens (France), Martin found on his way a poor man without clothes and very cold. Having no money to give him, he decided cut his cloak in half and share it with this needy. The next night, he had a dream in which Jesus appeared to him dressing the part of the mantle that he had given to the poor man and said: “Martin, today you covered me with your mantle”. Very moved, Martin made the decision to be baptized a few months later during the Easter vigil; by then he was 22 years old. Two years later, during a battle against the Franks, Martin refused the emperor’s call to put down the invaders, showing his resolve to fight for the Lord’s army by appearing before the enemy without a single weapon. Miraculously, the Franks sued for peace and the war ceased. Later, when he was finally able to leave the army, Martin became a disciple of Saint Hilary and firmly embraced religious life.

At the age of 45, Martín founded the first monastery of Gaul in Ligugé (France), thanks to the help of Saint Hilary of Poitiers. In the year 371, when he was 55 years old, the inhabitants of Tours went to look for him at the monastery to appoint him Bishop of Tours. However, his new position did not prevent him from remaining a monk at heart and found another monastery in Marmoutier (France), a place where he frequently went to meditate. For 26 years, Martín exercised his position as bishop with great charity, thus earning the affection and respect of all. In fact, on one occasion he again gave away one of his belongings to a poor man: this time he gave one of his priestly vestments to a needy person in the cathedral sacristy. It should be noted that Martin evangelized and fought against paganism throughout the territory of Gaul (Western Europe), obtained many healings and led many people to Christianity thanks to his continuous acts of love and mercy.

Finally, he died on November 8, 397, uttering his last words: “Lord, if I can still be useful in something, I do not refuse or reject any work and occupation that you want to send me”. After his death, thousands and thousands of people from different parts came to Tours to see his body, since it had been taken there. Surprisingly, many miracles began to happen at his tomb, which became a place of pilgrimage par excellence. In the year 460 a beautiful basilica was built, while the cult of Saint Martin began to spread rapidly throughout Europe. In fact, in several countries such as Italy, Germany, England and even Spain, various dedications to Saint Martin can be found.

San Martin de Tours, is also known as San Martin de Loba either Saint Martin Knight. His feast is celebrated on November 11, and he is considered the patron saint of blacksmiths and of various professions: of the public guard (policemen, army commissioners, soldiers, pontifical Swiss guard), of weavers, of textile manufacturers and of shops. In addition, he is a patron saint in various countries (France and Hungary) and cities around the world (Buenos Aires-Argentina and Orense-Spain).

Discover other lives of saints that have marked Christianity in Europe: San Benito, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Anthony of padua, San Francisco de Asisetc.

Spiritual influence of Saint Martin

The life of Saint Martin, as Sulpicius Severus tells us, shows a spirituality characterized by several aspects:

• The charity: The memorable gesture of sharing the mantle with a needy guided Martin’s entire life, a man who learned to see Christ in everyone and to serve as Christ is served. Not in vain during the feast of Saint Martin the words of Jesus are read in the Gospel “I assure you that every time they did it with the smallest of my brothers, they did it with me” (version of the Book of the People of God).
• The proclamation of the true faith: Martin was a tireless preacher, instructed by the great theologian Saint Hilary of Poitier. His biblical principles led him to remember the doctrine and fight against heresies (especially Arianism and paganism, which were very present in the region of Gaul at that time).
• Mercy: Throughout his life, as a monk and bishop, Martin showed mercy to the poor, the suffering and the needy, and tirelessly carried the Good News throughout Gaul. Furthermore, he was a man who had the power of Christ: he performed many miracles, healed many sick people (lepers, paralytics), cast out demons, raised the dead. This thaumaturgical power was evidenced when the sick came to his tomb, asked for the saint’s intercession and received many miracles.

Powerful prayers to Saint Martin of Tours

Prayer to Saint Martin for prosperity

“Glorious Roman soldier, who felt called by God to live charity:
For the greatest trials you suffered for the Lord,
I ask you with all my heart to fight the misery of my house,
may the charity of your soul follow me wherever I go,
and get me the blessing of the Lord in all my business.
Oh! Saint Martin Caballero, of the faithful Missionary Lord, deliver me from all evil,
so that I never lack health, work and sustenance.
Oh God, you know that by our strength we cannot survive,
grant that, through the intercession of your confessor and pontiff Saint Martin,
let us be strengthened against all the evils that surround us.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”.

Prayer to Saint Martin to ask for a grace

Blessed Saint Martin Caballero,
filled with the Spirit of the Lord,
you always had inexhaustible charity with the needy.
You who full of love and generosity
when you saw the beggar who was freezing cold,
without knowing that it was really Christ,
you did not hesitate to give him half of your cape,
and you didn’t give it all for the other half was from the Roman army;
you, who were not looking for recognition
but only favor the neighbor,
you found glory before the Lord,
and when the Savior appeared to you
dressed in the half cape to thank you for your gesture
and told you “today you covered me with your mantle”,
you decided not to serve in the army anymore
and dedicate your life to God and the salvation of souls,
being since then a propagator of the faith
and holy man delivered to whoever needed it.
Glorious Saint Martin
you who worked miracles and prodigies
that with joy, kindness and the most exquisite goodness
you won everyone’s hearts
and you did not stop working for their well-being,
hold out your hand and help me out
of all the deficiencies and economic problems
that now afflict me and cause uneasiness.
Glorious Saint Martin, my blessed patron,
I ask you with great faith and humility
get me from God, the source of all Mercies
that my paths on this earth, my work and my endeavors
clean and open clearly.
In the name of Almighty God,
Lord Saint Martin of Tours,
remove everything that harms me.
Oh holy relief, lend me your holy protection;
help me, I beg you in these bad times:
(ask here what is needed)
You who have, noble Saint Martin, miraculous power;
Take my prayers as soon as possible to the Heavens,
ask for everything good for my house,
that the burdens, ruins and poverty go away
and good luck enter my work (or business)
and with it abundance and prosperity, to be able to help all those in need.
Saint Martin, blessed Bishop of Tours,
may your virtues and charity always accompany me,
I will not stop praying and thanking the Most High
favors granted
And I’ll be charitable to everyone
my brothers and needy.
Saint Martin intercede for me,
and deliver me and protect me from all evil.
Amen”.

Pray to other saints with

In , you can find various spiritual proposals for you to pray to other saints who were earthly and spiritual soldiers, as well as great servants of the Lord:

– Through this novena, you will be able to pray with Saint Francis of Assisi to learn the fundamental notes of a harmonious life.

– Through this community, you will be able to discover the legacy of Saint Ignatius: the spiritual exercises that will help you discover the presence and closeness of God in your daily life.

In addition, the team offers you to receive on the occasion of the feast of the greatest saints, some lines about their personality to walk inspired by them towards God.