Catholic organizations celebrated Veterans Day Friday, with dioceses thanking those who have served in the military and broader outlets calling on St. Martin of Tours to intercede.

St. Martin of Tours was a soldier, monk and bishop revered by many as a beloved early Christian European saint. His feast day falls on Veterans Day.

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

The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee posted a broad tweet on Veteran's Day: "Happy Veterans Day from the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. Thank you to the brave men and women who have served our country. We are praying for all of you.” 

St. Martin of Tours was born in what is now Hungary in the 4th century, Catholic.org says. His family moved to Italy so his father could pursue a military career. Martin was a youngster when Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire and Martin converted soon thereafter, despite growing up in a pagan family. 

As a young adult, Martin joined the Roman cavalry. He served in Gaul, Milan and Treves before a life-changing event that Catholic.org describes. Martin met a beggar in need of warm clothing and Martin took off his cloak and cut it in half, giving the beggar enough to help him stay warm. That night Christ came to him in a vision, telling him: “Martin, a mere catechumen has clothed me.” 

After the vision, Martin had a change of heart about military service and became a “conscientious objector,” according to Catholic.org. He studied under Hilary of Poitiers, a saint and doctor of the Church, in Tours. He tried to convert his parents, succeeding with his mother, though but it is not known if he converted his father. 

Martin contested the Arian heresy, which denied Christ’s divinity. He later established a monastery that the Benedictines eventually used, and he became the Bishop of Tours. Martin is said to have performed miracles and cast out demons out while converting thousands across Italy and France. He is the patron saint of the poor, soldiers, conscientious objectors, tailors, and winemakers. 

Catholic News Agency recounts the story that Martin foresaw his death. Before succumbing in 397, he 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.” 

In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI said it would be worth it for all Christians to emulate St Martin, being “generous witnesses of the Gospel of love and tireless builders of jointly responsible sharing.”