Bishop · c. 316–397
Spirituality: Charity, monastic life and missionary zeal.
Reflection: Martin was a young Roman soldier when, at the gate of Amiens on a
freezing day, he cut his military cloak in half to share with a beggar. That night Christ
appeared to him wearing the half-cloak. Baptized, he left the army, became a disciple
of St. Hilary and founded one of the first monasteries in Gaul. Made bishop of Tours
against his will, he lived in a simple cell and evangelized the countryside tirelessly. He
was among the first saints honored in the West who was not a martyr. Martin reminds
us that Christ waits for us in every beggar.