Overview
- The Catholic calendar honors St. Martin on November 11, and multiple outlets published commemorative pieces today.
- Tradition recounts that as a Roman soldier he split his cloak for a freezing beggar, experienced a vision of Christ, then left the army for baptism and ministry.
- He was elected bishop of Tours in 371, founded monasteries, and is cited as one of the earliest non-martyr saints with a dedicated liturgical feast.
- He is venerated as patron of France, soldiers and the poor, and was designated patron of Buenos Aires in 1580 by Juan de Garay.
- Coverage highlights medieval links to harvest-time customs and the “veranillo de San Martín,” while noting conflicting reports on his year of death, including 391 and 397.