St. Martin of Tours

Feast Day: November 11

Patron saint of soldiers, beggars, and cowboys

St. Martin of Tours might be one of the most well-loved saints in Europe, but his story resonates far beyond his 4th-century Roman setting. Born in what is now Hungary and raised in Italy, Martin was the son of a Roman soldier and eventually became a soldier himself. But his heart was already being drawn to something more.

One of the most famous stories from his life tells of a cold winter day, when Martin saw a beggar at the city gates. With nothing else to offer, he cut his cloak in half and gave it to the man. That night, Martin had a dream in which Jesus appeared to him wearing that very piece of the cloak. Soon after, Martin was baptized—and not long after that, he left the army. He later became a bishop almost against his will. He preferred the quiet life of a monk to the status of leadership, but he served faithfully nonetheless.

He’s the patron saint of soldiers, horses, and beggars—but did you know he’s also the patron saint of cowboys? I love that little detail. There’s something about his humility, courage, and his life on horseback that just fits. When I learned this, I was inspired to reflect that blend of Western grit and saintly grace in a few jewelry pieces. If you're curious, you can explore them here.

St. Martin’s feast day is November 11, which also happens to be Veterans Day in the U.S.—a fitting coincidence for a man who once served in the military but chose peace over violence. May his story remind us that small acts of kindness, like offering a piece of your cloak, can reveal the face of Christ.