Saint Martin of Tours

I was born in Hungary to pagan parents. My father directed me to a military career. When I was in the army, I came to know the Christian faith and enrolled as a catechumen to prepare for baptism. I was 20 years old when I was baptised. I gave testimony of a new lifestyle in the army but wanted out. After leaving the military, I went to Poitiers in France. I was ordained a priest by the bishop. I preferred monastic life and established a life in common with some disciples. Ten years later, the inhabitants of Tours acclaimed me a bishop. I dedicated my life to the evangelisation of the countryside and the formation of the clergy. Among other things, I was strongly opposed to capital punishment for heretics. I died in 397.