Saint Martin of Tours
Bishop, Memorial
Other Celebrations for this Day:
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
During a military campaign, Martin cut his mantle into two to save a poor beggar from freezing to death. This gesture became a symbol of Christian sharing. Ordained a priest by S. Hilary of Tours, he introduced the monastic life in France. Later, as bishop of Tours, he created and organised many rural parishes and monasteries, whose monks evangelised much of Gaul in the 4th and 5th centuries. Tours became a centre of pilgrimages.
Opening Prayer
Our loving God,
you let St. Martin of Tours remind us today
that we have to recognise and love your Son
by welcoming him in those who are naked,
in all who are hungry and thirsty,
abandoned and lonely,
in refugees, in the poor and the sick.
Let our love become free and spontaneous,
like the tenderness you have shown us in your Son.
Welcome us in the everlasting kingdom
prepared for us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[For the readings, refer to the liturgy of Wednesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time.]
Prayers of the Faithful
Prayer over the Gifts
Our generous God,
this is the bread you give us
to share with the poor
and here is the wine you wish us to drink
with all who have forgotten what joy is.
In these signs let your Son come among us
and give us the love and the strength to meet him
in all who hunger and thirst
for food and affection,
in all that is little and insecure.
Let this be the sacrifice you accept
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
with the inspiration of his stirring words
and by the strength of this bread of life
may we go to you the royal way of Jesus
and to our neighbour the way of sharing.
Make us live that what we are and have
is a gift from you, not just for ourselves
but for our brothers and sisters.
Let us meet Christ in the underprivileged,
for they are a treasure you have entrusted to us
through Jesus Christ our Lord.