Saint Martin of Tours
- Feast
- 11 November
- Patron of
- soldiers, France, beggars and horsemen
Martin was born around 316 in Pannonia, in present-day Hungary, the son of a Roman officer, and served in the army himself. After his baptism he left the army, became a disciple of Saint Hilary of Poitiers and founded one of the first monasteries in Gaul. In 371 the people of Tours made him their bishop, against his wishes. He died in 397.
He is remembered for a winter day at Amiens, when he cut his soldier's cloak in two with his sword and gave half to a freezing beggar. That night he dreamed of Christ wearing the half he had given away. Painters show him on horseback, dividing the cloak, or in a bishop's robes.
Martin suits a boy or man who is strong, practical and generous without making a show of it. He gave away half of what he had to a stranger, and was one of the first saints honoured who was not a martyr.
5 prints of Saint Martin of Tours
Rinuncia alle armi di san Martino
Simone Martini
From $33.26
Saint Martin
Pietro Perugino
From $44.13
Saint Martin and the Beggar
El Greco
From $53.18
Saint Martin Dividing his Cloak
Anthony van Dyck
From $50.01
San Martino
Simone Martini
From $32.98
Questions
When is the feast of Saint Martin of Tours?
The feast of Saint Martin of Tours is kept on 11 November.
What is Saint Martin of Tours the patron saint of?
Saint Martin of Tours is the patron saint of soldiers, France, beggars and horsemen.
Is Saint Martin of Tours a good confirmation saint?
Martin suits a boy or man who is strong, practical and generous without making a show of it. He gave away half of what he had to a stranger, and was one of the first saints honoured who was not a martyr.
Is Saint Martin of Tours the patron saint of people named Martin?
Yes. Saint Martin of Tours is the traditional name saint for anyone called Martin, Martín and Martino, and the feast on 11 November is their name day.
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Other patron saints
AgnesAnneAnthony of PaduaAugustine of HippoBenedict of NursiaBernadette SoubirousCarlo AcutisCatherine of SienaCeciliaChristopherClare of AssisiDominicDymphnaFaustina KowalskaFrancis of AssisiFrancis XavierGeorgeGerard MajellaGianna Beretta MollaIgnatius of LoyolaJoan of ArcJohn of the CrossJohn Paul IIJohn the BaptistJosephJosephine BakhitaJuan DiegoJude ThaddeusKateri TekakwithaLucyMartin de PorresMary MagdaleneMaximilian KolbeMichael the ArchangelMonicaNicholasPadre PioPatrickPaulPeregrine LaziosiPeterPier Giorgio FrassatiRita of CasciaSebastianTeresa of ÁvilaTeresa of CalcuttaThérèse of LisieuxThomas AquinasJeromeCatherine of Alexandria