The image below, which is attributed to Jan Boeckhorst and is in the public domain, tells the story for which St Martin is best known – dividing his cloak to give half to a beggar. It is perhaps not so well known that he subsequently gave up his military career and became a monk, founding a monastery in Ligugé in Gaul. He was later ordained Bishop of Tours and died in the year 397.

His life is a journey and as such we can relate to it, going through many transitions – and he held fast to the end after his intial conversion. May he pray for us, and may God bless you.