Born in the 4th century in present-day Hungary, St. Martin of Tours is recognized as the patron saint of soldiers and conscientious objectors. Ultimately a man of peace, Martin worked zealously to spread the Gospel, serving as a missionary and later as the Bishop of Tours. As we celebrate his feast day on November 11, we invite you to learn five key facts about his life and discover where you can find him in the Basilica.
1. St. Martin was drafted into the Roman army at age 15.
As a young soldier, St. Martin was discontent with military life. He began learning about Christianity and felt that it promoted a message of peace and consideration for one’s fellow man that was inconsistent with life as a Roman soldier. At one point, Martin even wrote to the Emperor requesting to be released from service, stating: “I am Christ’s soldier: I am not allowed to fight.”
2. He had a dream where Jesus visited him.
God used a chance encounter with a stranger to change Martin’s heart. Once, when Martin was stationed near Amiens, France, he came across a nearly naked beggar on a cold winter’s day. Overcome with pity, Martin felt compelled to tear his cloak in two and give the beggar half; later that night, he had a dream that Jesus was wearing the other half of his cloak. The dream inspired him to become baptized immediately.
3. St. Martin was imprisoned on charges of cowardice for refusing to fight.
Following his conversion, Martin remained in the army, but refused to fight, making him “the first recognized conscientious objector in recorded history.” Because of this, Martin was imprisoned on charges of cowardice, but was later released.
4. He lived for a time as a hermit on an island.
Upon quitting the army, Martin sought solitude on an island in the Gulf of Genoa. However, God was not done using Martin to help others, and he later returned to civilization to found the first monastery in Gaul. Despite his protestations, he was eventually made Bishop of Tours, but still lived the life of an unassuming monk. He was instrumental in reaching out to unchurched people in the countryside, bringing the Gospel to many who might not otherwise have heard it.
5. St. Martin’s feast day has traditionally been used as a day to sign peace treaties.
Because of his love of peace, St. Martin of Tours’ feast day has traditionally been used as a day to sign peace treaties. One of the most significant of these treaties was the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I.
St. Martin of Tours can be found in the West Façade at the National Shrine.
Sources:
Butler’s Lives of Saints, ed. Bernard Bangley.
“Saint Martin of Tours,” Franciscan Media.
“St. Martin of Tours,” Britannica.
“St. Martin of Tours,” Catholic Online.
“St. Martin of Tours,” New Advent.
The Way of Saints, Tom Cowan.