LAKE JAMES

NORTH CAROLINA

 

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Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop

Martin, one of the patron saints of France, was born about 330 in Hungary. His early years were spent in Italy and, after serving in the Roman army, he settled in Poitiers where St. Hilary, whom he had come to know and admire, was the bishop. Sometime between 350 and 353, Martin was ordained as a priest and, inspired by the example of Egyptian monastics, began to live as a hermit, but as his reputation for holiness spread, he was elected Bishop of Tours in 372. He agreed to accept consecration to the episcopate only if he could continue to be a monk. The development of Celtic monasticism in Britain was greatly influenced by St. Martin and his monastery.

An ancient legend says that, while still a catechumen (someone preparing for Baptism), Martin was approached by a beggar, shivering in the cold and asking for alms in the name of Christ. Having no money, Martin drew his sword and cut his cape in half, thus sharing it with the beggar. The next night, Jesus, covered with half a cape, appeared to Martin to thank him for covering him with his cloak. That Martin’s fame was wide-spread is reflected in the fact that the oldest church in Canterbury, one which antedates the Anglo-Saxon invasions, is dedicated to St. Martin. It is an active Anglican parish to this day.

Dedicated to the monastic life, Martin was also an active missionary to the non-Christians living near his monastery and was especially revered by the poor for his pastoral care and charity. He died on November 11, 397. For many centuries, the great shrine dedicated to him in Tours has attracted pilgrims from all over the world.


(This material comes from “Lesser Feasts and Fasts” and other sources. ATKZ+)


The Collect for the Feast of Saint Martin

Lord God of hosts, you clothed your servant Martin the soldier with the spirit of sacrifice, and set him as a bishop in your Church to be a defender of the Catholic Faith: Give us grace to follow in his holy steps, that at the last we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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To learn more about Saint Martin of Tours from an excellent website hosted by Saint Xavier's Church in Enid, OK, click here.

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This page last modified on Friday, April 11, 2008 09:39 PM