The Saint of France

Martin was the son of a high-ranking Roman military officer. He was enrolled as a military officer in his early adolescence. He came to know Christ in the camps after Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. One day he met an unclothed beggar on the road. Martin cut his cloak in two and gave one half to the beggar. Later in a dream, Martin saw the beggar's face which had now changed to the face of Christ. Martin was baptized and chose to enter the solitary life. Others joined the monastery he and Hilary of Poitiers founded, the first in Gaul (France) north of the Alps, and it soon became one of the most important in Europe.

St. Martin tried to find Christ in everyone. He followed St. Hilary and preached to the Gauls in northern France. He was pressed into service as Bishop in Tours. He lived simply and preached with the conviction of God's love. When there were difficulties with those who did not follow the Emperor's edicts, he often advocated for those who were in error. He refused to support the death penalty for heresy. When he died, he was buried in the chapel of his monastery which became a place of pilgrimage.

Trying to find Christ in everyone we meet is one of the most difficult of the calls of the Christian. In opening ourselves to the needs of others we participate in Christ's message that God's love is for everyone.

Reflect on the Word

Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, "When did we give you something to eat or drink? When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear or visit you while you were sick or in jail?" The king will answer, "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me."

Matthew 25: 37-40(CEV)