Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop

Martin was born in 316 or 336, by different reckonings, at Savaria in Pannonia, today's Szombathely in Hungary, an officer's son, and served as a soldier. His Life, written by his friend Sulpicius Severus, tells that at Amiens in winter he cut his military cloak in two to give half to a freezing beggar, and that night saw Christ in a dream wearing it. He left the army, became a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers and about 361 founded at Ligugé one of the first monasteries in Gaul. In 371 the people of Tours made him their bishop against his will. He lived as a monk at Marmoutier and travelled the countryside, tearing down pagan shrines and founding churches. He died at Candes on 8 November 397 and was buried at Tours on 11 November.