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Martin was born the son of a Roman officer around the year of Our Lord 316, in what is now modern Hungary. He grew up in Italy, and at a young age became a Catholic catechumen, against his parents’ wishes. Martin joined the Roman army himself when he came of age, and while serving in Gaul, now France, he came across a beggar. Taking pity on the poor man, Martin cut his red military cloak in two with his sword, and gave the beggar half. The next night Our Lord appeared to Martin, surrounded by angels and wearing the half-cloak, inspiring Martin to finally receive baptism. After a few more years Martin left the Roman army and became a disciple of St. Hilary, bishop of Poitiers. He became an acclaimed preacher, and against his own protests he was eventually made bishop of Tours. One tradition relates that Martin went so far as to hide from those who wished to see him consecrated, but was betrayed by the honking of a nearby goose. After many years leading his flock, evangelizing, and working miracles, Martin died in the year of Our Lord 397. One of the earliest and most popular confessors, or non-martyr saints, Martin is a patron of beggars, equestrians, soldiers, tailors, and much more. The feast of Martinmas is traditionally celebrated by dining on, and sharing, goose.
AT Tours, in France, the birthday [into heaven] of blessed Martin, bishop and confessor, whose life was so renowned for miracles that he received the power to raise three persons from the dead.
At Cotyaeum, in Phrygia, during the persecution of Diocletian, the celebrated martyrdom of St. Mennas, Egyptian soldier, who cast off the military belt and obtained the grace of serving the King of heaven secretly in the desert. Afterwards coming out publicly, and freely declaring himself a Christian, he was first subjected to dire torments ; and finally kneeling in prayer, and giving thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, he was struck with the sword. After his death, he was renowned for many miracles.
At Ravenna, the holy martyrs Valentine, Felician and Victorinus, who were crowned in the persecution of Diocletian.
In Mesopotamia, St. Athenodorus, martyr, who was subjected to fire and other torments under the same Diocletian and the governor Eleusius. He was at length sentenced to capital punishment, but the executioner having fallen down and no other person daring to strike him with the sword, he passed to his repose in the Lord whilst praying.
At Lyons, St. Veranus, bishop, whose life was illustrated by his faith and other virtues.
In the monastery of Crypta-Ferrata, near Frascati, the holy abbot, Bartholomew, companion of blessed Nilus, whose life he wrote.
In the province of Abruzzo, blessed Mennas, solitary, whose virtues and miracles are mentioned by pope St. Gregory.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.