st martin of tours philadelphia

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St. Martin of Tours

Page last updated 2 months ago

Brazilian Apostolate: Rev. Diogo Escudero, O.F.M. CAP, Brazilian Chaplain Parish Business Manager: Iris M. Espanol Parish Administrator: Martha Cepeda-David CRE: Zoraida Figueroa Parish Secretary: Becky Espanol

Independence Mission School

5701 Loretto Ave. 19124

Church: Accessible entrances, curb cuts, ramps and parking near accessible entrances for churches with parking lots. Sufficiently wide and level approach or gradually sloping ramp to door; doorway wider than 32 inches, with automatic door or one that is easily opened with minimum pressure or usher assistance; parking spaces large enough to accommodate vans with access aisle for discharge on either side of van; parking spaces designated with proper signage.

Parish Meeting Room/Hall: Accessible entrances, parking, curb cuts and ramps to accessible entrances and restroom facilities adapted for wheelchair users for at least one meeting room.

Hellerman St. from Whitaker Ave. to Castor Ave.; to Deveraux Ave.; to Roosevelt Blvd.; to Bustleton Ave.; to Comly St.; to Frankford Ave.; to Wakeling St.; to Horrocks St.; to Arrott St.; to Adams Ave.; to Whitaker Ave.; airline through Naval Supply Depot; to Whitaker Ave.; Hellerman St.

Report To Pastor Previous 5 Years (PDF) Report To Pastor Prior 5 Years (PDF)

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St. Martin of Tours

Sunday Mass (in the lower church)

Saturday evening 4:00 pm English language 7:30 pm – Brazilian-Portuguese language

Sunday 8:00 am – English language 10:00 am – Spanish language 12:00 noon – English language

Week Days Monday thru Saturday (in the Chapel) 8:30am – English language

Holy Days 4:00 pm Vigil, 8:30 am – English 7:00 pm – Spanish & English languages

Confessions: Saturdays 3:00-3:45 pm & by appointment

Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesdays 9:00 am – 3;00 pm Saturdays 9:00 am-3:00 pm in the Chapel

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St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Philadelphia, PA

St. martin of tours mass times in philadelphia.

Saturday 4 pm, 7:30 pm Portuguese Sunday 10 am Spanish, 12 pm

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 8:30 am

Confession Saturday 3-3:45 pm

5450 Roosevelt Blvd, Philadelphia, PA

215-535-2962

Church Website

• Private, Catholic
• PHILADELPHIA, PA

St. Martin of Tours School This school has been claimed by the school or a school representative.

• grade  A minus Overall Grade
• Rating 3.78 out of 5   9 reviews

Report Card

• Academics grade  B
• Diversity grade  A
• Teachers grade  B+
• Elementary School
• Middle School
• NCEA Member
• Pennsylvania
• Philadelphia

School Details

• Hispanic 42.5%
• African American 37.6%
• Multiracial 5.1%
• Pacific Islander 1.4%
• Native American 0%

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• Cost of Living grade  B
• Good for Families grade  B minus
• Housing grade  C+
• Private School
• Rating 4.82 out of 5   39 reviews
• Rating 4.45 out of 5   122 reviews
• Rating 4.22 out of 5   133 reviews
• SOMERSET, NJ
• Rating 4.62 out of 5   123 reviews

St. Martin of Tours School Reviews

• Rating 5 out of 5   Excellent 5   reviews ( 56 %)
• Rating 4 out of 5   Very Good 1   reviews ( 11 %)
• Rating 3 out of 5   Average 1   reviews ( 11 %)
• Rating 2 out of 5   Poor 0   reviews ( 0 %)
• Rating 1 out of 5   Terrible 2   reviews ( 22 %)
• Mar 13 2023
• Overall Experience
• July 22 2022
• Aug 16 2021

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St. Martin of Tours Parish

Archdiocese of Philadelphia

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Weekend Mass Schedule

• Sunday 8:00 AM English
• Saturday 4:00 PM English

Weekday Mass Schedule

• Monday 6:30 AM English
• Tuesday 6:30 AM English
• Wednesday 6:30 AM English
• Thursday 6:30 AM English
• Friday 6:30 AM English
• Saturday 8:15 AM English

Mass Schedule for Holy Days

Confession and adoration times, church description, church staff, questions & answers.

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Contact info.

• 5450 Roosevelt Blvd
• Philadelphia, PA - 19124
• (215) 535-2962
• http://www.smtparish.org

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St. Martin of Tours

5450 roosevelt blvd., philadelphia, pa 19124.

• Church Info

We are pleased to welcome you to the parish of St. Martin of Tours in Philadelphia, PA.

Mass times for St. Martin of Tours are below. Also, if you need directions to St. Martin of Tours, please click here .

Mass Times during COVID-19

• Saturday 4:00pm - Lower Church , 7:00pm (Portuguese) - Brazilian Mass - Lower Church
• Sunday 7:00am - Q'eqchi Mayan Mass - Lower Church , 10:00am (Spanish) , 12:00pm
• Monday 8:30am - Chapel
• Tuesday 8:30am - Chapel
• Wednesday 8:30am - Chapel
• Thursday 8:30am - Lower Church followed by Adoration
• Friday 8:30am - Chapel

Other Services

• Adoration Thr: 9:00am-6:30pm
• Confessions Sat: 3:00pm-3:45pm - Lower Church

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Saint Martin of Tours

Where new beginnings are possible.

• Parish Ministries

Parish Groups and Activities.

• Charismatic Circle of Prayer/ Circulo  de Oración Carismático

Monday (English): 7:30PM Coordinator: Charles Hunt Phone: (215) 535-5920

Thursday (Spanish): 7PM Coordinator: Mr. Rony Anavisca Phone: 267-249-6054

Friday (Brazilian): 7PM Coordinator: Francisco Sousa Almedia  Phone: (443) 993-1066

• Senior Citizens Group

Coordinator Mrs. Mary Belmont Phone: 267-922-2466

• Young Adults / Jóvenes Adultos

Coordinator: Mr. Rafael Nunez

• Pastoral Juvenil San  Bosco

Monday 7PM Coordinator: Gustavo Orozco Phone: (267) 971-6135

• Cursillo de Cristiandad

Thursday 7PM Coordinator: Damaris Chevez Phone: (267) 325-6715

•   Cenaculo de la Llama del Amor

Friday 7PM Coordinator: Sra. Rosa Guzman Phone: 267-974-7463

• Camino de Emmaus

Coordinador de Hombres: Mr. Joel Regalado Phone: 215-908-6313

Coordinadora de Mujeres: Srs. Danilsa Ysabel phone:267-888-0114

• Profundizando Nuestra Fe Catolica

Coordinator: Mr. Rigoberto Euceda: 215-868-2946

• Music Ministries

MR. Riccardo Conti Phone: 215-370-2816

 Spanish

Director: Fernando Souza Phone: (240) 671-8210

• Boy Scouts of America

Coordinator: Jose Figueroa Phone: (215) 668-4694

•   Neo-Catechumenal Way

Liturgy of the Word:

Tuesday 7:30 PM

Wednesday 7:30 PM

Eucharist: Saturday  7:30 PM in the Parish Hall

Coordinator: Ramon Familia Phone: (484) 794-5422

• Charity and Solidarity Center
• Event Galleries
• Finance and Pastoral Council
• Office Hours – Charity and Solidarity Center
• Young Adults

• Live Streaming Mass

View Our Parish History

Archbishop John Glennon appointed Father Carl Rees as pastor. The Rev. Carl A. Rees, born September 29th, 1889, was the second son of Anton Rees and Wilhelmina (Wild) Rees at 2121 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, Mo. He was baptized at SS. Peter and Paul Church on October 1st, 1889. His elementary education was at St. Francis de Sales Parochial School, Gravois and Ohio, St. Louis. His First Holy Communion was May 3rd, 1903 and his Sacrament of Confirmation was September 18th, 1904. He graduated from SS. Peter and Paul High school in June of 1906. He attended St. Louis University, St. Francis Solanus College, Quincy and St. Francis de Sales Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was ordained a Priest by Archbishop Glennon at Kenrick Seminary, Webster Groves, June 13th, 1916 and celebrated his First Solemn High Mass at St. Francis de Sales Church, June 25th, 1916. Fr. Rees served as Assistant Priest at St. John the Baptist Church and at St. Augustine’s Church, both in St. Louis. First Pastorate was SS. Philip and James Parish, River Aux Vases, Mo. He was appointed to establish St. Martin of Tours Parish on January 12th of 1939.

On Palm Sunday, April 2, 1939, it was announced that a new parish would be built and it would be named St. Martin of Tours. This announcement was made from the stage of the lower assembly hall of Notre Dame Convent where services were temporarily being held for a small congregation of “new” parishioners.

Prior to the Palm Sunday announcement, an office was established at 805 Cumberland Drive. Fr Huber, pastor of St. Andrew’s, furnished a list of families living “south of St. Andrew’s” and they were contacted by mail and invited to attend a general meeting at St. Andrew’s Hall on Thursday, February 16th, 1939. Those invited could respond by phone to “Riverside 5709” or by mail to the office. Included in the mail invitation was information about Holy Mass being said for the New Parish at the auditorium of the Notre Dame Convent on Sunday, February 19th at 8 A.M.

A Provisional Committee, “made up of sincere, level-headed men and women”, was formed to help work out plans for the building of the parish.

The Provisional Committee later became the General Parish Committee. For six months, until the middle of July, they met weekly. Funds were badly needed so various socials were held to raise money. A census was taken throughout the territory and subscriptions solicited but no one was found who would “sign” a pledge. It was the year 1939 and the big depression of the thirties stalked the memory of everyone. Memories of the depression rose each time Fr. Rees tried to obtain a building loan. Hoping to improve chances by raising collateral, the new pastor liquidated all his personal holdings but still met with no success. He inquired at every possible bank and was weary from trying. Fr. Rees turned to Bishop Winkelman who had assisted him with the parish’s start. With the Bishop’s signature, the loan was obtained. A troupe of volunteers from the Parish Committee made monthly collection visits throughout the territory. This system was discontinued with the distribution of Weekly Envelopes in November.

By the middle of March 1939, the site of the New Parish had definitely been determined – the south-west corner of Telegraph and Ripa Ave. This was a parcel of land measuring 2 ¼ acres and was purchased from the Forder Bros. Realty Co. There was some opposition to this site because it was thought that in a few years another parish would be needed a mile or possibly two miles to the south. Another possible site was what is now the Rose Gardens subdivision. The pastors of St. Andrew’s, St. Francis (Oakville), St. George (Gardenville), Seven Holy Founders (Affton), Assumption (Mattese), and the new St. Martin’s were called to a meeting with the Archbishop to discuss boundary lines of the new parish.

Boundaries were established as:

• Begin on Mt. Olive and Lemay Road
• Telegraph Road to West Loretta Street
• South side of West Loretta Street to Clyde
• West side of Clyde to West Arlee
• South side of West Arlee to Broadway
• West side of Broadway to Ripa
• South side of Ripa to the River
• Teddy Avenue to Barracks and along boundary of Barracks to the southern boundary of the Mehlville School District
• South on Lemay Ferry Rd (both sides of road) to southern boundary of the Mehlville School District

Thence, the Mehlville School District boundary on the west side and north side to starting point Mt. Olive and Lemay Ferry Road

Excavation on the school building began on June 9th, 1939. Construction began on the 18th of the month. The bid by the Kloster Co., General Contractor, had been accepted. The Corner Stone, a gift of Mr. Ernest Speh of the Speh Monument Company, was placed with appropriate ceremony on Sunday, September 10th, 1939 by the Most Rev. C. H. Winkelmann. Committees assisted in locating and assembling all the countless furnishings needed for a church and school. Desks and other school equipment were located at and obtained from St. Francis de Sales Parish; pews, confessional, pedestals, etc., from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel; altar, vestment case and countless other things from St. Andrew’s Parish; Mass Vestments and altar linens, book stand, etc., from St. Liborious; Ciborium, etc., from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish; Gold Monstrance and Votive Stands from Msgr. Sisener of St. Agatha’s Parish; Stations of the Cross from Notre Dame Convent; Candlesticks, Vases, Vestments, etc. from SS. Peter and Paul’s Parish; and many other necessary things from many other places. Items were stored in various parishioners’ garages and basements.

On Sunday August 27th, Marriage Banns were announced for the first time.

John Slucenschneider and Isabelle Vandeven’s wedding was performed on September 16th, 1939 at St. Andrew’s church.

The first Baptism recorded from the new St. Martin’s was that of Helen Emma Callison who was born on March 21st, 1939 and baptized on April 16th, 1939.

School opening day in September of 1939 found the school building not quite ready but by concentrating effort on the classrooms, school opened on the Feast of the Guardian Angels, October 2nd. Archbishop Glennon dedicated the school on May 26, 1940.

The chapel was ready in the new building (school) for the first service on Sunday, November 5th. Three Masses were scheduled and the Chaplain of Notre Dame Convent, Rev. Louis H. Bruns, would say the last Mass at 10:30. For over 6 years, or until the appointment of an assistant priest in February 1946, Fr. Bruns regularly served the parish with Sunday Mass and sermon.

On January 22nd, 1940 the first funeral was held – Mrs. Naomi Chapman. The first Baptism in the new chapel was Myrna Claire Hahn and was held on November 5th, 1939. The first Christmas was memorable. A heavy snow had fallen and the premises glittered in a “white Christmas.” Mass was at 5 A.M. A loudspeaker had been erected on the roof of the building and played the famous record “Chimes from the Tower of the Monastery Church of the Archabbey of Beuron.” A little house crib was acquired and a small stable was made. The school children each received a Christmas box of sweets and in turn, brought the Christ Child a “birthday” present.

During the Lenten season of 1940, a Mission (from February 25th to March 10th) was conducted by the Redemptorist Fathers. The HOLY NAME SOCIETY and CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN MOTHERS were canonically erected during this occasion. 108 parishioners were enrolled as charter members of the HOLY NAME SOCIETY and Fr. Rees called the first meeting for April 15th, 1940. On January 7th, 1940 (before the Mission) a meeting was called with the purpose of organizing the ladies into a confraternity. 40 ladies attended this meeting. On March 3rd, 1940, on the closing day of the week of the ladies’ Mission, a solemn reception was held in the chapel and 100 ladies were enrolled as charter members. There was a second Mission held in March of 1945 and the third in the 10th Anniversary year in September of 1949.

Early in 1940, a little farmhouse was completed to serve as a priest’s house.

An outstanding event of the spring of 1940 was the First Holy Communion held on Sunday, April 21st.

The war years were uncertain and trying.  Many of our young men were called into service; food was rationed; wages were high and commodities scarce. Some 100 young men of the parish were drafted or volunteered for the army or navy. Three gave up their lives in the line of duty: Luke Deters, U.S. Navy died at sea; Eugene Muich, killed in action; Harry Vescovo died in camp. St. Martin’s conducted periodic drives for war funds.

Midst the din and rhythmic thud of hammers, nails, and woodwork, the first classes at St. Martin of Tours were held on October 2, 1939 with a total enrollment of one hundred sixty children. The classes were led by Sister M. Lambertine and the School Sisters of Notre Dame.  In 1940 the enrollment started soaring – 190; 1941 – 204; 1942 – 205; 1943 – 211; 1944 – 222; and each year saw each classroom more crowded – four classrooms – four teachers! In 1945 another classroom was opened only to be filled to capacity – 5 rooms containing 269 children. This condition made all concerned realize the immediate need for even more rooms, hence plans were made and stakes were driven for our “Annex” which would supply two additional classrooms for use early in the fall semester. In 1946, the frame Annex was built to accommodate the ever-increasing enrollment. The Annex was opened for use on October 28th. By September 1948, enrollment was 329. 

In April of 1941, dishes and a stove were bought and gas installed in the school kitchen.  September 1941 was the beginning of our hot lunches for the school children. The kitchen was operated by two ladies of the W. P. A. (Works Projects Administration – an American New Deal agency).  Fr. Rees stated that about 125 children were fed every school day. The first year of operation was completed successfully in June 1942 and a decision was quickly arrived at to continue the lunches in the following September. Due to rationing, the lunches started around October 12 at 10 cents a plate and served 145 children.  By February 1943, the surplus foods furnished by the Government were discontinued but the school lunches continued. In September of 1943, Fr. Rees reported that the Government had diminished its allowance and that the Red and Blue Points necessary for purchasing foods were difficult to obtain. The lunch offerings were now 15 cents instead of 10 cents.  The Council of Catholic Women had been furnishing the milk free of charge to the Catholic Schools. This service was discontinued. A charge of 5 cents was then made for the half-pint of milk served each child. From 1943 to 1946, about 140 children were served hot lunches every day. In September of 1945, Fr. Rees reported that due to help from the United States Agricultural Department lunches would be served with milk for 10 cents. The number of children participating in hot lunches increased

constantly.  In September of 1946, 3 lady parishioners were placed in charge of the school lunches and menus. Some 200 children were fed every day.  Due to the increase in the cost of food, lunches were now 15 cents.

By 1956, the population of the parish had increased enough to warrant adding a second story to the school building. 

In June of 1956, Fr. Vincent Ott celebrated his First Solemn Mass at the parish, becoming the first former pupil of St. Martin’s to do so. 

The St. Martin of Tours Band was established around 1967.

The School Sisters of Notre Dame staffed the school until the 1986-87 school year.  The school closed in 2009

THE SEWING CIRCLE (LATER KNOWN AS THE QUILTERS) : On February 21st, 1939, at a Provisional Parish Committee Meeting, it was decided that the parish ladies would meet weekly to sew at various homes of the members. Sewing was done at the ladies’ homes until the first quilting party which was held in the new building on Thursday, November 16th, 1939 with about 25 ladies present. With the cooperation of the neighboring parishes, the sewing circle was happy to offer 70 handmade quilts at their first annual quilt social which was held in the new building on April 27th, 1940.

TEEN SODALITY : In 1940, the first graduates left St. Martin of Tours and in the fall, the Teen Sodality was organized.  The first enrollment took place on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in 1940 at which time 10 graduates were enrolled.

USHER’S SOCIETY : In October of 1939 a permanent Usher’s Society was formed. 

The SACRED HEART LEAGUE was established on August 23, 1940.

For the 10th anniversary year of the parish, it was decided to have a two-night Homecoming.  This was held on Friday and Saturday, August 26th and 27th.  The attraction was a Grand Fish Fry on Friday night and a delicious chicken dinner on Saturday night. There were also carnival concessions and rides and booths.

GIRL SCOUTS :  In December of 1948, a representative of the Girl Scouts approached St. Martin of Tours about forming a troop.  The first large affair was the Solemn Investiture in Church on Friday, April 16th, 1949.  There were 65 girls and 22 adult scouts who recited the Girl Scout Laws and Promises and received a blessed Girl Scout Pin.  In 1972, first-grade girls were invited into the program and given the name “Pixies.”

BOY SCOUTS : The Catholic Investiture Service and Charter Presentation of the first Scouts of St. Martin of Tours Troop 422 took place on January 21, 1952.  It was funded by the Men’s Club. There were 10 adults and 30 scouts in the program.

WOMEN’S BOWLING LEAGUE : In June of 1947 the ladies formed a four-team bowling league.  They elected to bowl at St. George’s Alleys on Thursday nights. The next year they bowled at the Holly Hills Lanes.  Because of increased interest, an eight-team league was formed. In June of 1949, it was decided to bowl at the newly installed Bowling Alleys of St. Boniface Parish on Tuesday nights.

MEN’S BOWLING LEAGUE: The men’s league was first formed in 1947 with five teams and bowled at St. Andrew’s Church Bowling Alleys. In the 1948-49 season, they went to an eight-team league and needed to have a larger facility so they went to the Holly Hills Bowling Lanes.  In the 1949-50 season, there were still 8 teams but the league was moved to the St. Boniface Bowling Alley.

In later years, bowling for both the men and the women moved to South Twin Lanes now known as DuBowl Lanes.

The first meeting of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES was held at the Rectory on December 18, 1946. The outstanding event in later years was the decision in 1947 to put on a drive for funds for a new church.

The Fund Raising Campaign sprang from a meeting of the Board of Trustees held on July 17, 1947. The purpose was to discuss the ways and means of raising a considerable amount of money to be set aside for the building of a new church.  Many meetings concerning this topic were held. A campaign committee was appointed to assist in setting up the “Fair Share” contribution plan and the Kick-off Dinner. Sunday, November 9th was set as “solicitation day” and all members of the Campaign Committee were given a blessing by Fr. Rees.  Before sundown that day, $60,000 had been pledged. November 1949 marked the end of the campaign.  

Of note are the minutes from July 13, 1948. Additional property is necessary for the future adequate operation of the parish and now is the time to acquire it before the adjoining property is sold or developed. Fr. Rees and a member of the Board would contact and discuss the property matter with Mr. Forder, owner of the plot directly south of the church property. The contract to rent our building as a voting place was approved. Financially, the parish as of July 1st, 1948 has $14,601.43 in church treasury and $15,357.35 in New Church fund.  Renovating the school kitchen and endeavoring to get floor covering was announced.  The expense was to be met from the school lunch program.  

The architect for the building would be Raymond Maritz with construction being awarded to the Charles C. Kloster Company. The new building (church) was to be situated on the sloping site adjacent to the school building with the entrance from St. Martin’s Lane.  Provision was made for a future convent. The rectory would be situated between the church and the school. The nave of the church was designed to seat 750 worshippers and an assembly hall in the lower level would accommodate 1,000 people. With 3 meeting rooms and a kitchenette, the cost of the building was to be $400,000.  Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on July 30, 1950. Approximately 1,000 people marched in the parade honoring the occasion and an estimated 500 others gave witness to the placing of the symbolic cornerstone of the new Church of St. Martin of Tours in Lemay. On April 22nd, 1951, the Most Revered Joseph E. Ritter, Archbishop of St. Louis, performed the cornerstone-laying ceremony. Dedication of the Church was held on August 3, 1952.

During these years, the rectory was moved from the small farmhouse on Telegraph Road to Tweed Drive to its present location adjoining the church.

The Men’s Choir was begun in the 1950s.  During one Christmas season, they performed on KMOX radio.

In 1958, a committee was formed within Confraternity of Christian Mothers and it was called the Home and School program. The 12 members received special training to enable them to assist with health-testing for the children. The volunteers kept health records, did library duty, office work, and took charge of the uniform sales and exchanges.

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION : Starting originally with 3 girl’s softball teams (year unknown), the program increased in numbers and activities that now include in 1974 (?) 273 children playing on 11 softball teams, 10 baseball teams, 13 soccer teams, 3 volleyball teams, and 4 basketball teams.

The “Harry Noss Invitational Tournament,” named for a deceased young man from the association, is a special event of the year in which second-grade boys baseball teams compete. In 1964, the program was expanded to include public school children.

On Christmas night of 1959, exactly 20 years after he had celebrated the first Christmas Mass in the parish he loved so well, Fr. Carl Rees passed away following a stroke. 

In January of 1960 the Right Reverend Monsignor Anthony A. Esswein arrived to replace Father Rees.

Under Monsignor Esswein’s direction, the Men’s Club , the St. Vincent de Paul Society (1960) and the Senior Adult Club (1962) were formed. The Sisters’ Convent was built and all parish indebtedness to the Archdiocese was paid. The original sanctuary was completely remodeled.

Monsignor Esswein suffered a stroke and died in October, 1972.

Many organizations/clubs have been added to the St. Martin of Tours community since its early days.  Some have just changed names. 

They include: Finance Board, Parish Council, Stewardship Committee, Liturgical Ministries (Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Adult Choir and Cantors, Gift Bearers, Liturgy Commission, Altar Society and Ushers & Greeters), Blood Drive, Adult Education, Pro-Life, Scrip, Money Counters, Funeral Choir, Art & Environment, Legion of Mary, Funeral Luncheon, Bingo Committee, ACA, and Rectory Volunteers.

Current church interior after 2020 renovation (click to enlarge): 

Click to see St. Martin's Crest & Motto explained

Priests who have served throughout the parish's history:

Reverend Rees 1939-1959 Monsignor Esswein 1960-1972 Monsignor Runge 1972-1991 Reverend Althoff 1991-1997 Reverend Callahan 1997-2003 Reverend Borgerding 2003-2005 Reverend Ferrara 2005-2013 Reverend Richardson 2013-2015 Monsignor McCumber 2015-2017 Reverend Waldman 2017-present

Principals who have served throughout the parish's history:

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St. Martin of Tours

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Saint Martin of Tours was born in in Savaria, Pannonia in either the year 316 or 336 AD. That region is what is today the nation of Hungary. His father was a tribune, which is a high-ranking officer in the Imperial Horse Guard. Martin and his family went with his father when he was assigned to a post at Ticinum, in Northern Italy. It is here that Martin would grow up.

Just before Martin was born, Christianity was legalized in the Roman Empire and the bloody persecution of Christians soon came to an end. It was not the official religion of the State, but it could be practiced and proclaimed openly. The Gospel message soon flourished in ancient Rome, transforming the empire. Martin's parents were pagans, but at the age of 10, Martin chose to respond to the call of the Gospel and become a Christian.

At the age of fifteen, Martin was required to follow his father into the cavalry corps of the Roman military. By the time he was 18, Martin is believed to have served in Gaul, and also eventually Milan and Treves. Scholars think he served as part of the emperor's guard.

As a young soldier, Martin encountered a beggar in Amiens. The beggar was unclothed and it was very cold. Martin removed his cloak and with his sword, he cut it in half. He gave this half to the beggar and dressed himself in the remnant. That night, Martin had a vision in which Christ appeared to him. The vision spoke to him, "Martin, a mere catechumen has clothed me." A catechumen is one who is being instructed in the Christian faith. In the early centuries of Christianity, that was a long process of instruction - and Martin was deeply dedicated to it.

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About the age of 20, Martin made clear to his superiors that he would no longer fight, following his formed Christian conscience. He refused his pay prior to a battle and announced he would not join in the combat. He became the first recognized conscientious objector in recorded history. His proclamation occurred before a battle near the modern German city of Worms. His superiors accused him of cowardice and ordered that he be imprisoned. Martin offered to demonstrate his sincerity by going into battle unarmed. This was seen as an acceptable alternative to jailing him, but before the battle could occur, the opposing army agreed to a truce and no conflict took place. Martin was subsequently released from military service.

Now out of the military service, Martin could fully dedicate himself to service of Jesus Christ and the Church. He traveled to Tours where he began studying under Hilary of Poitiers, who is now recognized as a doctor of the Church. Martin's studies lasted until Hilary was forced into temporary exile, likely because of his refusal to participate in a political dispute.

Martin then traveled to Italy. According to one account, Martin was confronted by a highwayman and led him to faith in Jesus Christ. Another account tells of Martin confronting the Devil. While on this journey, Martin had a vision which compelled him to return to his mother in Pannonia. He did so and led his own mother to faith in Jesus Christ. Martin attempted to persuade his father to embrace faith in Jesus Christ, but as far as we know, his father refused.

After bringing his mother to the Church, Martin then turned to confronting a growing heresy which was afflicting the faithful and sowing confusion. He became involved in countering the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. The reaction against him was so violent from the Arian leaders that he was compelled to flee. Martin took up residence on an island in the Adriatic where he lived as a hermit for a time.

Martin's teacher Hilary returned to Tours from temporary exile in 361 so Martin traveled there to work and study. Hilary gave Martin a small grant of land where he and his disciples lived.

Martin established a monastery which would be inhabited by the Benedictines. Established in 361, the Liguge Abbey was destroyed during the French Revolution, then reestablished in 1853. The abbey remains to this day. From the site of his abbey, Martin worked to bring people to faith in Jesus Christ and Baptism into His Church in the surrounding areas. He was an extraordinary evangelist.

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In 371, the city of Tours needed a new bishop and the people decided to call Martin to the office. Martin did not want the job so the people decided to trick him into the office. The people insisted he was needed to administer to someone sick, so he came out as quickly as he could. He did not even bother to improve his appearance. When he learned it was a trick to make him a bishop, Martin actually tried to hide. He was quickly discovered and the people called him forward to be ordained to the office of Bishop. Even though he did not really want the office, he was ordained - and he became a holy and hardworking Bishop.

As a Bishop Martin established a system of parishes to manage his diocese. He made a point to visit each parish at least once per year. In addition to his appointed rounds, Martin combated paganism, particularly the Druid religion which was still prevalent at the time. He passionately and faithfully proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and won many to the Christian faith.

Yet, he longed for more prayer and wanted to pursue a monastic life. In the year 372 Martin established an abbey at Marmoutier so he could retreat there and live as a monk with the many disciples he had attracted.

In the following years, a heresy broke out in the church. An aesthetic sect called the Priscillianists after their leader, Priscillian, had developed in Spain and Gaul. The First Council of Saragossa condemned the heresy, but the Priscillians did not change they practices. This prompted one bishop, Ithacius of Ossonoba to petition the Roman Emperor Magnus Maximus to put him to death. Martin was opposed to the sentence of death, and was joined by Bishop Ambrose of Milan in his opposition. Martin traveled to Trier where the Emperor held court. Martin was able to persuade the Emperor to refrain from putting Priscillian and his followers to death. However, after Martin left, Ithacius persuaded the Emperor to change his mind again and Priscillian and his followers were executed in 385.

Martin was so upset by Ithacius, he refused to communicate with his fellow bishop until the Emperor pressured him to resume communicating with his colleague.

Martin died in Candes-Saint-Martin, Gaul in 397.

The Hagiographer Sulpicius Severus, knew Martin personally and wrote about his life. Many miracles and the casting out of demons were attributed to Martin during his lifetime. According to one account, Martin, while trying to win Druids to follow Jesus Christ and renounce their pagan beliefs, was dared to stand in the path of a sacred tree that was being felled. Martin agreed and was missed by the falling pine, although standing right in its path. This was widely seen as miraculous and a symbol that the message he proclaimed about Jesus Christ was true. Many were converted to the Christian faith.

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Veneration of St. Martin became popular in the Middle Ages, and was popular with the Frankish kings.

Saint Martin is the patron of the poor, soldiers, conscientious objectors, tailors, and winemakers. Many locations across Europe have also been placed under his patronage. His feast is on November 11. He commonly appears on horseback and is shown cutting his cloak in half with a sword.

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