
Devotees will celebrate on Friday, November 11, the memory of Saint Martin of Tours, the venerated patron saint of soldiers and of France.
Devotees traditionally gather at the national shrine of Saint Martin of Tours at his burial site in France every year on his feast day for the holy mass and special prayer service.
In the country, commemorative masses in honor of their patron saint will be held in Taal, Batangas and in Dumalag, Capiz.
In Bocaue, Bulacan, commemorative masses in honor of St. Martin of Tours will be held from November 2 to 11 at the St. Martin of Tours Parish, also known as the Diocesan Shrine of the Holy Cross of Wawa.
The novenario in his honor was held from November 2 to 10. A motorcade was held on November 2. On Friday, feast masses will be celebrated at 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 5 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m.
Malolos Bishop Dennis C. Villarojo will lead the concelebrated feast mass at 9 a.m. A grand procession will be held at 6 p.m.
Born in Hungary in the year 316, St. Martin entered the army at the age of 23. After he left the service, he started to preach across Europe and converted thousands to the faith. In Italy, he was referred to as the “Glory of Gaul.”
In the year 371, St. Martin was elected as the third bishop of Tours, France where he set up monasteries, educated the clergy, destroyed pagan temples, and gave particular attention to the conversion of the rural population.
Many miracles were attributed to St. Martin since his death in 397, making him one of the most popular saints of the Roman Catholic Church.