Saint. Martin was born in what is now Hungary, and grew up in Italy. At the age of 10, he became a catechumen shortly after Christianity was legalized across the empire. He joined the cavalry at the age of 15 and was stationed in what is now France. At one point during his time of service, he encountered a beggar who lacked adequate clothing. Martin cut his military cloak in half and gave the other half of it to the beggar. Following this act of charity, Martin had a vision in which he saw Jesus wearing the portion of his cloak and telling the angels that it was Martin who clothed him. After this vision, Martin was baptized at the age of 18 and proclaimed himself as a soldier for Christ. He left the military, adopted the life of a hermit, and went on to became the Bishop of Tours in France. He died of natural causes and was buried on November 11. His relics were later placed in the cathedral of Tours which became a pilgrimage destination until 1562 when the cathedral and relics were destroyed by Huguenots. Some fragments on his tomb were found during construction excavation in 1860 and entombed in a new Basilica of St. Martin. In Europe, his feast day of November 11 became the traditional date to sign peace treaties. He is venerated by Christians as the patron saint of soldiers, innkeepers, horses and riders, beggars, and those in need.∼Saint Martin of Tours (Latin: Sanctus Martinus Turonensis; 316 or 336 – 8 November 397) was the third bishop of Tours. He has become one of the most familiar and recognizable Christian saints in Western tradition.
Saint. Martin was born in what is now Hungary, and grew up in Italy. At the age of 10, he became a catechumen shortly after Christianity was legalized across the empire. He joined the cavalry at the age of 15 and was stationed in what is now France. At one point during his time of service, he encountered a beggar who lacked adequate clothing. Martin cut his military cloak in half and gave the other half of it to the beggar. Following this act of charity, Martin had a vision in which he saw Jesus wearing the portion of his cloak and telling the angels that it was Martin who clothed him. After this vision, Martin was baptized at the age of 18 and proclaimed himself as a soldier for Christ. He left the military, adopted the life of a hermit, and went on to became the Bishop of Tours in France. He died of natural causes and was buried on November 11. His relics were later placed in the cathedral of Tours which became a pilgrimage destination until 1562 when the cathedral and relics were destroyed by Huguenots. Some fragments on his tomb were found during construction excavation in 1860 and entombed in a new Basilica of St. Martin. In Europe, his feast day of November 11 became the traditional date to sign peace treaties. He is venerated by Christians as the patron saint of soldiers, innkeepers, horses and riders, beggars, and those in need.∼Saint Martin of Tours (Latin: Sanctus Martinus Turonensis; 316 or 336 – 8 November 397) was the third bishop of Tours. He has become one of the most familiar and recognizable Christian saints in Western tradition.
Inscription
Tomb of Saint Martin
Gravesite Details
Tomb is in excellent condition within the Basilica of Saint Martin in Tours, France.
