Devotion
On this date we remember Saint Martin, Bishop of Tours (d. 397). His conversion is the stuff of legend. One particularly cold winter day he saw a nearly naked beggar sitting at the Amiens city gate. Martin had no money to give, so he cut his cloak in two and gave half to the beggar. In a dream that night, Martin saw Christ wearing the half-cloak.
For some time, Martin had wrestled with the decision to become a Christian. This spurred him toward an immediate baptism. At the end of his next military campaign, he asked to be released from the army, saying: "Hitherto I have faithfully served Caesar. Let me now serve Christ." And he did serve Christ faithfully for the rest of his life, in spite of many obstacles and persecutions.
Prayer
Lord God of hosts, you clothed your servant Martin the soldier with the spirit of sacrifice and set him as a bishop in your church to be a defender of the catholic faith. Give us grace to follow in his holy steps, that at the last we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of peace. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.