Few people can have their history summed up in a single gesture as well as St. Martin. His took place around the year 335. As a soldier of the imperial guard, the young man made nightly rounds. And on one of these, during the winter, he came across a half-naked beggar on horseback near Amiens. Martin took pity on him, took off his cloak, cut it in two and gave half of it to the poor man.
The following night Jesus appeared to him in a dream dressed in that piece of the cloak, and said to the angels: “Behold Martin, the unbaptized Roman soldier: he has clothed me”. This dream made a great impression on the young soldier, who was baptized on the following Easter feast. saint's day Vatican.
Born in Sabaria (now Hungary) when it was the Roman province of Pannonia, son of a pagan Roman officer, St. Martin, after receiving baptism and abandoned arms, founded a monastery in Ligugé (France). There he led a monastic life under the direction of St. Hilary. Later he was ordained a priest and was elected bishop of Tours. He evangelized the region of Gaul and founded several monasteries.
Mercy
When he accepted the bishopric, the former soldier refused to live like a prince so that people in misery, prisoners and the sick could find a home under his mantle. He lived next to the city walls, in the monastery of Marmoutier, the oldest in France. Another important aspect was his defense of the mercy in the face of violence. He intervened with the emperor to stop the execution of heretics who had strayed from the doctrine. His funeral, in 397, was attended by a crowd that recognized him as a generous and supportive person.
