Hello and welcome to Saint Stories for Kids, a weekly podcast full of fun stories and

facts about the holy men and women that have come before us. I'm your host

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Today we'll be telling the story of St Martin of Tours, whose feast is celebrated on November 11th.

St Martin was born sometime between the years 316 and 336 in what is now Hungary.

His father was a high-ranking Roman soldier who after retirement received some land in northern Italy where St. Martin grew up.

When he was 10 years old, Martin decided to become a catacumen at the local Catholic church,

even though his parents were against it.

At that point, Catholicism was no longer illegal in the Roman Empire,

but it was still something that was looked down upon in upper-class Roman society.

At age 15, St Martin was required as the son of a high-ranking Roman soldier to join the army himself.

Martin served in the army for a period of time before deciding that he wanted to be baptized and leave the army for the religious life.

Martin became a disciple of Hillary of Poitier, established a monastery at Legouge.

St Martin became the Bishop of Tours in 371, but it was completely against his will.

In fact, he was tricked into coming into town, and then when he realized the people had

tricked him and wanted to make him the Bishop, he ran away and hid.

He didn't choose a very good hiding spot, though. to make him the bishop, he ran away and hid.

He didn't choose a very good hiding spot, though, a barn full of geese.

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