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San Martino di Tours, ora pro nobis |
November 11th is the Feast of San Martino di Tours (St. Martin of Tours), soldier, monk, hermit, and Bishop. Traditionally a time of feasting and revelry, the commemoration coincides with the Fall harvests and the drinking of new wines before the penitential season of Advent. Credited with introducing viticulture to parts of Gaul, St. Martin is the patron saint of wine makers. He is also the patron of soldiers, tailors, conscientious objectors, innkeepers, and the poor.
Widely venerated in Southern Italy, he is the principal patron of Aterrana (AV), Sorbo Serpico (AV), San Martino Valle Caudina (AV), San Martino Sannita (BN), Solopaca (BN), Carruba (CT), Castel San Vincenzo (IS), Castelvecchio di Sante Marie (AQ), Gagliano Aterno (AQ), Giffoni Sei Casali (SA), Serre (SA), San Martino Cilento (SA), Laureana Cilento (SA), Drosi (RC), San Martino di Taurianova (RC), Faibano di Camposano (NA), Fasani (CE), Macerata Campania (CE), Settingiano (CZ), Soriano Calabro (VV), Taviano (LE), and Rocca di Neto (KR).
In Southern Italy the Feast is typically celebrated with wine tasting and regional delicacies. L'Estate di San Martino, or Saint Martin's Summer, denotes a period of unseasonably mild weather similar to our Indian Summer. Due to modern cultural changes this is less pronounced than in the past, but some of the traditions associated with the seasonal cycle persist, including celebratory bonfires and winter food preparations. Many, like myself, still celebrate with a simple glass of fortified wine and biscotti di San Martino.
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| Biscotti di San Martino |
Prayer to St. Martin of Tours
Dear well-beloved Saint, you were first a soldier like your father. Converted to the Church, you became a soldier of Christ, a priest and then a Bishop of Tours. Lover of the poor, and model for pagans and Christians alike, protect our soldiers at all times. Make them strong, just, and charitable, always aiming at establishing peace on earth. Amen