The Saint of the day 11 November is San Martino di Tours, which name day is celebrated and other saints who are celebrated on this date.
San Martino di Tours
Born in about 316 in Sabaria in Pannonia, which was an ancient region located between the Danube and Sava rivers comprising the western part of today's Hungary, Martino was the son of an important officer of the Roman imperial army, who named him so in honor of Mars, or the god of war.
He moved to Pavia with his family, entered the army as soon as he was fifteen, being the son of an officer, and was sent to Gaul.
During the period in which he was a soldier, Martino had that vision that will become the most mentioned episode of his life.
While he was at the gates of the city of Amiens with his soldiers, Martino met a half-dressed beggar.
Without thinking about it, he cut his military cloak in two, sharing it with the beggar.
At night, while sleeping, he dreamed that Jesus came to him to return the half of the cloak he had shared.
He could hear Jesus saying to his angels: "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptized, he has dressed me."
Upon his awakening Martino, noting that his cloak was intact, decided to keep it as a relic which later became part of the thematic collection kept by the Merovingian kings of the Franks.
Martino's dream brought about a profound change, so much so that on the following day he went to be baptized becoming a Christian.
Leaving the army, he reached the educated and combative bishop Hilary in Poitiers, who ordered him an exorcist shortly before he became a priest.
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Since Bishop Hilary was among those who fought most openly against Arianism, a doctrine that had the support of the Court, he was exiled to Phrygia, a region of Asia Minor.
About Martino all his movements and his activities are not clear, as different details of the life use are based on uncertain news.
He probably went to Pannonia and around 356 went to Milan.
Subsequently he would have lived in solitude on the rocky islet of Gallinara, located just off the Ligurian town of Albenga and already a refuge for various Christians during the period of persecutions.
From Gallinara Martino returned to Gaul where he was consecrated priest by Bishop Ilario, who in the meantime had been repatriated in 360 after serving his exile.
Martino devoted a large part of his work to the evangelization of the Gallic population, undertaking numerous trips to preach in central and western France, especially in rural areas.
During this missionary activity it became very popular and in 371 he was consecrated bishop of Tours.
Martino preferred not to live in the city by founding a monastery located 4 kilometers away where he established his residence.
He died in Candes on November 8 397, thousands of churches in Europe and worldwide are dedicated to San Martino, whose name has been assigned to thousands of countries and villages in Italy, as well as throughout Europe and the American continent.
Other saints and celebrations of 11 November
- Blessed Alice (Maria Jadwiga) Kotowska
- St. Bartholomew the Younger of Grottaferrata (or Rossano)
- San Bertuino of Malonne
- St. John the almsman
- Santa Marina di Omura
- San Menna of Egypt
- San Menna del Sannio
- San Teodoro Studita
Virgin and martyr
Bishop
Patriarch Bishop of Alexandria in Egypt
Virgin and martyr
Hermit
Hermit
Abbot
