Lantern processions, the Martinmas goose and the sharing of the cloak: St Martin shapes the autumn like hardly any other saint. His story of sharing is especially well known in families with children.
Who was Martin of Tours?
Martin was born around 316 in Savaria (today Hungary) and grew up in Pavia. As the son of an officer he had to join the army himself and served as a cavalryman in Gaul. After his baptism he left the service, lived as a monk and founded the monastery of Ligugé near Poitiers. In 371 the people chose him as Bishop of Tours.
As bishop he remained simple and cared for the poor. He died on 8 November 397 in Candes and was buried in Tours on 11 November. His biography by Sulpicius Severus made him known throughout Europe.
Legend and tradition
The most famous story: at the gates of Amiens Martin met a freezing beggar, cut his soldier’s cloak in two with his sword and gave him one half. The following night Christ is said to have appeared to him in the half cloak. This is a legend that goes back to Sulpicius Severus.
The goose also belongs to the legend: Martin is said to have hidden before his election as bishop, but geese gave him away by their cackling.
Feast day
The feast day of St Martin is 11 November, the day of his burial in Tours in 397. Regional and denominational calendars may differ.
Patronage
- Soldiers
- The poor and beggars
- France and Burgenland
- Travellers
“Patron saint” means that people ask this saint to intercede for them with God. No guarantee or promise of miracles is attached to it.
Attributes and depiction
Martin is depicted as a rider in Roman armour dividing his cloak with his sword, with the beggar beside him. Later he appears as a bishop with a goose.
A short prayer
St Martin, you shared what you had. Open my eyes to the need around me and my heart to sharing. Make me a light for others. Amen.
A simple prayer in our own words, to pray along.
Customs
On 11 November children walk through the streets with lanterns and sing Martinmas songs. There are Martinmas bonfires, Weckmänner (sweet bread men, also called Stutenkerl) and the Martinmas goose. The goose also recalls that rent and interest used to fall due on this day. Martinmas was also the start of a pre-Christmas fasting season.
The custom of sharing is still alive today: in many places families donate bread or clothing.
Matching items at LUNEXUS
- St Martin on horseback – hand-carved wooden statue from South Tyrol
- St Martin with the beggar – hand-carved wooden statue from South Tyrol
- St Martin sharing his cloak – hand-carved wooden statue from South Tyrol
The wooden statues from our woodcarving workshop are hand-carved in Val Gardena (South Tyrol) and come directly from the workshop: delivery time approx. 3–4 weeks, insured shipping to Germany and Austria only (€6.90). The statues are not blessed in our warehouse, and the 14-day statutory right of withdrawal applies to them.
More to choose from: saint statues from South Tyrol and all patron saints. Parishes and groups will find an offer on request on the quantity discount page (does not apply to wooden statues from the woodcarving workshop).
Keep reading in the magazine: Small gifts for sharing and giving
Frequently asked questions
When is Martinmas?
On 11 November, the day of his burial.
Why is there roast goose at Martinmas?
Because of the legend of the cackling geese, and because dues used to be payable on Martinmas, often in the form of geese.
What does the shared cloak stand for?
It stands for compassion and for sharing with people in need.
Sources: Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon (Ecumenical Lexicon of Saints), the Martyrologium Romanum and the regional calendar for the German-speaking area. We flag legends as such; prayers are, unless stated otherwise, our own simple wording. Compiled by Denis & Belinda, as of October 2026.
