Martin of Tours

François J. Th. De Backer (1842) (link)

Feast Day November 11

Patron of Soldiers, Beggars, Tailors, Geese

Situations Generosity, Military Service, Poverty

Professions Cavalry, Soldiers, Tailors, Weavers

Saint Martin of Tours was a Roman soldier who became the Bishop of Tours in Gaul. Born around 316 in Pannonia, he is best known for the story of cutting his military cloak in half to share with a beggar, after which he had a vision of Christ wearing the cloak. He became one of the first non-martyrs to be venerated as a saint.