Homily: November 11 - St. Martin of Tours & Veterans Day

On November 11, 1919, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed an Armistice Day to be observed annually, to honor the armistice ending World War I—with major hostilities formally ending at the 11th hour of the 11th day of  the 11th month of 1918.  After WWII, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law, that November 11 would be a day to honor all veterans, and so today our country celebrates Veterans Day.

And this is quite fitting, for today is a feast day of one of our Church’s well known and beloved soldier Saints, a patron Saint of soldiers along with St. Michael, St. George, and St. Ignatius, and St. Joan of Arc.

St. Martin of Tours, born of pagan parents, was the son of a veteran, a soldier and officer in the Roman army, though Martin was actually forced to serve in the army against his will at the age of 15.  While, serving in the army, Martin began to desire Christian baptism, and was enrolled as a catechumen.

There is the famous story when on a bitterly cold day ,the soldier, Martin met a poor man, almost naked, trembling in the cold and begging at the city gate.  Martin had nothing but his weapons and his clothes.  So he drew his sword, cut his cloak into two pieces, gave one to the beggar.  Some of the bystanders laughed at his now odd appearance, wearing only half a cloak; others were ashamed at not having relieved the man’s misery themselves.  That night in his sleep Martin saw Christ dressed in the cloak he had given to the beggar and said, “Martin, still a catechumen, has covered me with his garment.”

At the age of 23 he told his commander: “I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ.”  Martin was discharged from the army and became a hermit under the direction of another saint, St. Hilary.

Martin was elected bishop, dedicated much of his efforts to evangelization, founded a monastery, and attracted many vocations to the monastic life.  He continued to live the ascetic life as a bishop, always keeping to heart, “that which you did for these least of my brethren, you did for me” as he did for that beggar.

St. Martin reminds us of our duty as Christians towards those in need, and our duty to conform ourselves to Christ whatever our vocation—through prayer, detachment from material things, prayerful and right living, that our whole lives might be put at the service of our King and shepherd, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

For all veterans: as we celebrate Veterans’ Day this week, may the Lord bless and reward those whose sacrifices have preserved our nation in freedom.  We pray to the Lord.