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Martin (11.11.) Martin was born in the year 316 or 317 in Sabaria in Pannonia, son of a roman tribune . While he was serving the emperor as knight of his personal guard, he shared his cloak with a beggar before the doors of Amiens. He was baptized at the age of 18; then he left his military service and became a scholar of Ilario of Poitiers. When Ilario was exiled in 356, Martin returned from Pannonia with the intention of converting his own parents. As he was persecuted by the Arians he withdrew to an island near Genoa where he lived as a hermit. When Ilario returned from exile in 360 Martin joined him in Poitiers and together they founded the first Convent of Gaul at Liguge in 361. Ten years later he was elected Bishop of Tours and near this town, in the year 375, he founded the convent of Marmoutiers which became the centre for studies and ascetic life. Martin evangelized and converted numerous populations of central Gaul. He became famous as a thaumaturgist, led an ascetic life and dedicated himself to helping the poor and in this way attracting clero’s incomprehension. Martin set the basis for monachism linked with apostolate. He died on November 8th, 387 during a trip to Candes and a vast crowd attended his funeral. The Abbey which was built next to the Basilica where his remains lie, bears his name. Martin was chosen by Clodwig to be patron saint of the Franks and his cloak was carried into battle by the frank kings; his tomb was the site of many pilgrimages till the late middle ages. He is the patron saint of the Bishoprics of Mainz and Rottenburg-Stuttgart, of beggars, the poor, travellers, the exiled and refugees, prisoners, shepherds, soldiers, knights, tanners, weavers, wholeasalers, merchants of skins and cloth, tailors, millers, cask makers, hoteliers, hatters, hawkers; he is the protector of domestic animals and pets, of horses and geese; he protects against flatulence, eczema, smallpox, snake-bites, German measles; he is invoked for a good harvest.