St. Martin of Tours 8" x 10" Print

A Hungarian-born cavalry officer in the Roman army, on being baptised refused to go into battle as incompatible with his faith, but was released from service after the invaders miraculously sued for peace. The humble soldier is also said to have cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar, only to discover in a dream afterwards that the beggar had been Christ in diguise. Eventually named bishop of Tours in France, he was known for his merciful spirit and commonsense preaching and leadership. He is the first non-martyr (with perhaps the exception of the Apostle John) to have been revered as a saint. He is also patron saint of hotel owners, geese, winemarkers, reformed alcoholics, and the Papal Swiss Guard. Original art by Matthew Alderman, matthewalderman.com.