The Archdiocese of Detroit posted on Twitter about Veterans Day: "Today we remember all of the military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. We thank God for their self-sacrificing devotion to our country + willingness to leave family and comfort to protect us. Let us pray for all veterans today that they would be abundantly blessed!” 

Veterans Day coincides with the feast day for St. Martin of Tours, a soldier, monk and bishop revered by many as a beloved early Christian European saint.

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

St. Martin of Tours was born in the 4th century in what is now Hungary, according to Catholic.org. He and his family moved to Italy, where his father served in the military. When Martin was young, Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire and Martin converted, despite the fact that his family was pagan. 

Martin joined the Roman cavalry and spent time in Gaul, Milan and Treves. Catholic.org reports that Martin met a beggar who was in need of warm clothing. Martin removed his cloak and cut it in half to share with the beggar. Later that night Martin had a vision from Christ, with the visage saying, “Martin, a mere catechumen has clothed me.” 

After Martin’s vision, he became a “conscientious objector” and left his military career, according to Catholic.org. He traveled to Tours, where he studied under Hilary of Poitiers, a saint and doctor of the Church. He converted his mother to Christianity but it is not known if his father ever considered himself a Christian.

Martin spoke out against the popular Arian heresy, which denied Christ’s divinity. Martin established a monastery that the Benedictines later used. He also 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. 

Martin foresaw his death, which occurred in 397, 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,” Catholic News Agency reports.

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