November 11: Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop—Memorial

Read entire reflection online >>>November 11: Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop—Memorial316 or 336–397Patron Saint of beggars, cavalry, equestrians, geese, horses, innkeepers, Pontifical Swiss Guards, quartermasters, reformed alcoholics, soldiers, tailors, and winemakersInvoked against alcoholism and povertyPre-Congregation canonizationLiturgical Color: WhiteQuote: Accordingly, at a certain period, when he had nothing except his arms and his simple military dress, in the middle of winter, a winter which had shown itself more severe than ordinary, so that the extreme cold was proving fatal to many, he happened to meet at the gate of the city of Amiens a poor man destitute of clothing. He was entreating those that passed by to have compassion upon him, but all passed the wretched man without notice, when Martin, that man full of God, recognized that a being to whom others showed no pity, was, in that respect, left to him. Yet, what should he do? He had nothing except the cloak in which he was clad, for he had already parted with the rest of his garments for similar purposes. Taking, therefore, his sword with which he was girt, he divided his cloak into two equal parts, and gave one part to the poor man, while he again clothed himself with the remainder. ~From the Life of Saint Martin, by Sulpicius SeverusPrayer:Saint Martin of Tours, though you were born into a pagan family, God spoke to your heart from an early age, and you listened and responded. Your kindness, deep prayer, and generosity led to your ongoing conversion, making you an inspiration to all. Please pray for me, that I will always listen to God’s voice and respond with all my heart. Saint Martin of Tours, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: mycatholic.lifeCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Main image: Anthony van Dyck, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons