St. Martin of Tours was a soldier, monk and bishop revered by many as a beloved early Christian European saint. His feast day falls on Veterans' Day in the U.S., prompting some Catholic groups to ask for his intercession on behalf of veterans.

“St. Martin of Tours, intercede for all veterans! #Godblessveterans,” the National Catholic Register said in a tweet. 

It was a sentiment the Diocese of Allentown echoed.

"St. Martin of Tours, pray for us and help us to be a devout solider for Christ,” it said in a Twitter post. 

St. Martin of Tours was an early Christian saint born in the 4th century in the modern region of Hungary, according to Catholic.org. He moved to Italy with his family, where his father served in the military. While Martin was young, Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in the Rome Empire which led to Martin’s conversion despite his family being pagan. 

Martin followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Roman cavalry serving in Gaul, Milan and Treves. Catholic.org says Martin met a beggar once where Martin traditionally removed his cloak and cut it in half to share with the beggar. Later that night Martin reportedly had a vision from Christ that told him: “Martin, a mere catechumen has clothed me.” 

After Martin’s vision he left the military and became a “conscientious objector,” says Catholic.org. He traveled to Tours to study under Hilary of Poitiers, a saint and doctor of the Church. He successfully converted his mother to Christianity but it is not known if he was able to convert his father. Martin fought against the popular Arian heresy which denied Christ’s divinity. Martin established a monastery eventually inhabited by the Benedictines and became the Bishop of Tours. Martin reportedly performed miracles and casted demons out while converting thousands in Italy and France. He is the patron saint of the poor, soldiers, conscientious objectors, tailors, and winemakers. 

Catholic News Agency reports that Martin foresaw his death and said, “Lord, if I am still necessary to thy people, I refuse no labour. Thy holy will be done. Allow me, my brethren, to look rather towards heaven than upon the earth, that my soul may be directed to take its flight to the Lord to whom it is going.” 

He died in 397. 

In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI said, “that all Christians may be like St Martin, generous witnesses of the Gospel of love and tireless builders of jointly responsible sharing.”