November 11th - Feast of St. Martin of Tours

Also known as Martinmas originated in France then spread through Europe and to England.  It is a celebration of the harvest and began a period of fasting of three days per week or 56 days through Epiphany.  Today we call this period Advent. 

It has traditionally been celebrated by eating goose because St. Martin of Tours hid in a goose pen to avoid being ordained bishop.  Butchering of beef and hogs was part of the activities surrounding Martinmas.  The feast was somewhat like the American Thanksgiving and included bonfires.  



In 1918 the day became Armistice Day which is celebrated at 11:00 in the morning when World War I came to an end. 

St. Martin was born ca. 320 in Hungary, grew up in Italy and moved to France where he was ordained Bishop of Tours.  His father was a tribune in the Roman Imperial Horse Guard.  Martin was drafted into the cavalry when he was about fifteen and was stationed in Gaul by age 18.  There is some debate as to whether he served his military term.  When he did leave the army he went to Caesardonum (Tours) where he was named bishop in 371 and he founded a monastery there.