Martin of Tours
Christian saint (c.316/336 - 397)
Feast: 11 November (current Roman calendar, memorial) · 11 November (1962 Missal, III class)
Who they were
Martin was born in 316 or 317 in Pannonia, now Hungary, son of a pagan army officer, and grew up at Pavia. Drawn to Christianity as a boy, he was forced into the army and posted to Gaul. One winter night around 335 he met a half-naked beggar, cut his cloak in two and gave him half. That night Christ appeared to him wearing the half-cloak and saying, 'Martin, a Roman soldier not yet baptised, has clothed me.' He was baptised the next Easter.
Leaving the army, he went to St Hilary at Poitiers, lived as a hermit and founded a monastery near Tours. Made bishop of Tours, he refused to live like a prince and lived at Marmoutier, the oldest monastery in France, so that the poor, prisoners and the sick could always find shelter with him. In 397, aged about eighty, he went to Candes to heal a quarrel among the clergy, made peace, and died there lying on the bare ground as he wished.
The miracles
There was never a formal cause: Martin has been honoured as a saint since his death.
Why that counted as sanctity
Martin's cloak sums up his life: he saw Christ in the poor and gave to them what he had, as soldier, monk and bishop, to the end.
Connected on this site
- Sulpicius Severus Saint Pupil“The contemporary hagiographer Sulpicius Severus wrote a Life of St.” — Wikipedia
- Brice of Tours Saint“370 – 444 AD) was a 5th-century Frankish bishop, the fourth Bishop of Tours, succeeding Martin of Tours in 397.” — Wikipedia
- Britto von Trier Saint“At Trier in Gallia Belgica, in present-day Germany, Saint Britto, bishop, who defended his flock from the Priscillianist heresy, but together with Saints Ambrose of Milan and Martin of Tours tried in vain to oppose the ferocity of those who wanted the death of Priscillian and his followers.” — this site's research
- Clodoald Saint“Here, among the fishermen and farmers, he led a life of solitude and prayer, and built a church, which he dedicated in honor of Martin of Tours.” — Wikipedia
- Clotilde Saint“Kurth writes that she was "saddened by cruel trials." After Clovis died, she spent the rest of her life near the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours, "led a devout life," became "totally detached from politics and power-struggles except through prayer", and gave all her possessions to the poor.” — Wikipedia
- Dalmatius of Rodez Saint“In 541, he attended the Fourth Council of Orléans and on his return made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Martin of Tours.” — Wikipedia
- Euphronios of Autun Saint“At Autun in Lugdunensis Gaul, in France, Saint Euphronios, bishop, who built the basilica of Saint Symphorian, martyr, and adorned the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours with greater dignity.” — this site's research
- Felix of Trier Saint“The death sentences against Priscillian and his followers, despite the vigorous opposition of many bishops of the West, including celebrities such as Martin of Tours and Ambrose of Milan, were to have bitter consequences for Felix: Pope Siricius, Martin of Tours, Ambrose of Milan and other bishops broke off…” — Wikipedia
- Gregory of Tours Saint“Gregory is also known for documenting accounts of religious figures, notably that of Martin of Tours.” — Wikipedia
- Hilary of Poitiers Saint“He served in the Roman cavalry in Gaul, but left military service prior to 361, when he became a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers, establishing the monastery at Ligugé.” — Wikipedia
- Liborius of Le Mans Saint“Liborius was one of the first bishops of Le Mans, probably the fourth, elected in 348; tradition says he governed for 49 years, and St Martin of Tours was at his funeral.” — this site's research
- Magnus of Trani Saint“Martin of Tours Catholic Church.” — Wikipedia
11 more
- Martin des Ormeaux Saint“Martin, known as 'des Ormeaux' to distinguish him from the more famous Martin of Tours, was a bishop of the now-suppressed diocese of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux in what is now France, probably appointed around 657.” — this site's research
- Maurilius von Angers Saint“At Angers in Gallia Lugdunensis, in present-day France, Saint Maurilius, bishop, who, born in Milan, went to Saint Martin of Tours, by whom he was ordained priest and placed at the head of the church of Chalonnes-sur-Loire; having later become bishop, he worked to overcome pagan superstitions in the countryside.” — this site's research
- Monegundis Saint“Martin of Tours.” — Wikipedia
- Ninian Saint“He built a stone church at Whithorn, the 'White House', dedicated to St Martin of Tours, where he was buried.” — this site's research
- Palladius of Embrun Saint“During his episcopate he built numerous churches, in Chorges, Sauze, and Rama, as well as sanctuaries dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, and Saints Vincent, Orontius, and Victor, as well as to Genesius of Arles.” — Wikipedia
- Palladius of Saintes Saint“He procured relics of Martin of Tours, built a church in his honor, and reported several healing miracles to have occurred within the first two or three months.” — Wikipedia
- Paulinus of Nola Saint“Suffering from an eye disease no doctor could cure, he went with his friend Sulpicius Severus to St Martin of Tours and was healed.” — this site's research
- Serenicus Saint“Near Le Mans in France, Saint Serenicus, monk and deacon, who, after visiting the tombs of Saints Martin of Tours and Julian of Le Mans, spent his life in solitude and austerity.” — this site's research
- Sulpitius I of Bourges Saint“Often called Sulpitius Severus, the Severe, he is wrongly identified with Sulpicius Severus, the historian of Saint Martin of Tours.” — Wikipedia
- Turibius of Liébana Saint“Around the middle of the century, he and five companions took up the Benedictine habit and founded the monastery of Liébana, either the second or third oldest Benedictine establishment in Spain, dedicating it to Martin of Tours.” — Wikipedia
- Louis Longuet Blessed“He was a canon of Saint-Martin of Tours.” — this site's research
- Vatican News - Saint of the day (Italian): Martin of Tours
- Wikidata Q133704 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Martin of Tours (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.