Saint Martin was born in Hungary around 316 AD. Although many years have passed, his personality remains alive! Over time, many legends have gathered around Saint Martin, portraying him as a hero. These legends showcase his saintly and extraordinary qualities – qualities that have endured the passage of time.
He followed his father – a Roman tribune – to Italy and as was expected from a tribune’s son, he enrolled in the Roman army when he was fifteen years old. He was drawn to the Catholic Faith and although his parents were pagan, he started attending a Christian church when he was ten years old. He became a catechumen, that means a candidate in preparation to be baptised.
When he was eighteen years old, he was baptised and refused to continue being a soldier in the Roman army. He said that as a soldier of Christ, it was not lawful for him to fight. He became a monk, and later a Bishop of Tours, but he still lived in a small cell, a short distance from Tours.
The celebrated legend of the cloak and other anecdotes portray Martin as a holy person who took care of the sick, the hungry, the poor, the outcasts. He travelled and preached for the conversion to Christianity so that instead of fighting as a soldier, he fought against those who spoke against the Christian Faith.
Saint Martin was a soldier. Once, while he was travelling, he saw a beggar who was shivering with cold. Saint Martin pitied him and he gave him a half of his cloak. Sometime later, he was baptized and became a priest. Saint Martin began preaching in rural areas and helped many poor people.
This week’s content
About
This new bekids.mt aims to offer an even more comprehensive catechetical formation for children preparing to receive the sacraments.
