He was born in Pannonia (Hungary) to a pagan family. His father was an officer in the Roman army, so the family moved to Italy. Martin was forced to become a soldier, although he was interested in Christianity and its way of life which clashed with the military one.
He was posted to Gaul (France). While he was there, near Amiens, he saw a naked beggar at a time of severe frost. He cut his military cloak in half, giving one part to the suffering man. That night he had a dream of Jesus wearing the half-cloak. After that Martin was baptised. There was much fighting against barbarian invaders, Caesar Julian gave his soldiers a bonus. Martin refused his, and told the commander he was a soldier of Christ and would not fight any more. He was imprisoned.
When he was released he went to join St Hilary at Poitiers, where his preaching against heretics was so successful that they were both scourged and exiled from Gaul by the authorities.
In 360AD after years of living as a monk, he returned with Hilary and set up a monastery near Poitiers. In the subsequent years he and the brothers preached in the surrounding countryside, and there were miracles attributed to him. In 371AD the people of Tours acclaimed him as their bishop, although he did not want that. He continued living as a monk, setting up a monastery nearby at Marmoutier. His zeal converted a large number of pagans in Gaul, and the abbey became large and very famous. We know about Martin's works and fame from his disciple, Sulplcius Severus. He wrote about Martin's visions, his ability to prophecy, his influence which went as far as Paris, and his foreknowledge of his own death.
Martin's shrine at Tours-a great centre of pilgrimage-was destroyed in 1562AD by the Huguenots. The oldest English church used by St Augustine at Canterbury was dedicated to him, as are many others. It is said that the bird is named after him.
There is often a period of fine weather around November 11th called 'St Martin's little summer'. His feast day is also Armistice Day, rather appropriate for a saint who was originally a soldier.
Geraldine Taylor