November Drinking Companion (Veteran's patron)

I’ve wanted to visit this saint in Tours, France for a long time. Especially as an American, who sympathizes with our veterans suffering from P.T.S.D. While our troops have done heroic things to protect us and our country, they have been exposed to some of the ugliest parts of our world. So much so, that some will say there can’t be a God with all the evil they’ve seen. I encountered one of these men, early in my return to the faith, ironically his name was Martin. He shared with me his mother was Catholic, and asked me about the conversion I was experiencing at the time. He shared with me, that the things he saw in war, made him feel there can’t be a God. With basic details in is life, I trust he had an early release from the military due to this trauma. Shortly after that my life led me to New Jersey and I left the pizza shop we worked together at.

I would hear similar stories throughout my life, including noticing these similar vibes with my father, with the little he shared with me when he was in Vietnam. Recently it was further echoed when I told him I was going there. His response “what the hell are you going there for?” I can only imagine why he felt that way. I also heard these stories in those who fought in Normandy on D-Day, a place I visited and prayed a rosary along the shores for peace with those suffering so much from the trauma they experienced that day and throughout that war.

This is where my visit to St. Martin comes into play. I made a special holy card to touch to his tomb, and share with veterans I encounter who are seeking a healing of any sort, most clearly a spiritual healing. St. Martin had a unique encounter with the Risen Christ, that led him to become one of the great leaders of his time, and in Church history. In the early time of his conversion, as a catechumen, he encountered a beggar along the road as a soldier. Without hesitation he cut half of his cloak off and gave it to the man. Later that night, Martin had a dream that it was Jesus, who he gave the cloak to, and the rest was history. Patron of beggars, and veterans. Most of all, that unique encounter with Christ we all seek.

The Tomb of St. Martin de Tours