Novena to Saint Martin of Tours – 9 Days of Prayer

Novena to the soldier-bishop who became one of the most beloved saints of the Middle Ages — for generosity, care for the poor, and the courage to choose service over ambition

St. Martin of Tours was a Roman soldier who cut his cloak in half to share it with a beggar. He later became a monk and bishop and is one of the most beloved saints of the Middle Ages. This novena prays for generosity. His feast is November 11. The cloak story is the best-known episode of his life, and the word chapel is said to come from the cape he shared. Pray the novena for generosity, and perhaps give a coat, blanket or warm meal to someone in need.

Saint Martin of Tours · November 119 dayssaint

A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer. Begin nine days before the feast (November 11) and finish on its eve. You can pray this novena at any time of year.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

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Novena to Saint Martin of Tours – prayer for all nine days

Intention: For Generosity, Care for the Poor, and the Grace to Give What We Have

Martin was a Roman soldier. He was stationed at Amiens in Gaul — modern-day France — when he met a half-naked beggar shivering in the winter cold at the city gate. Martin had nothing on him but his military cloak.

He drew his sword and cut the cloak in half. He gave half to the beggar and wore the other half himself.

That night he had a dream. He saw Christ wearing the half-cloak. He heard the voice of Christ saying to the angels: 'Martin, who is still only a catechumen, has clothed me with this garment.'

Martin was baptized. He eventually became the Bishop of Tours. He is one of the first saints venerated by the Western Church who was not a martyr — he gave his life in service rather than in death.

Saint Martin, the gesture was simple: you saw someone cold and you gave him half of what you had. Not all. Half — enough to keep yourself warm too. It was not dramatic. It was not self-destructive. It was enough.

That is the kind of holiness I can understand: doing what is right with what you have, without waiting until you have more.

(Pause to mention your intentions)

For those who have more than enough and struggle to share — give them your impulse. For those who serve in armies or institutions where generosity costs something — give them your courage. For the poor who stand at cold gates — let your story make someone look up and see them.

Saint Martin of Tours, pray for us.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Saint Martin, pray for us.

Pray this prayer once a day for nine days in a row.

Traditional Catholic Devotional Prayer · Feast Day: November 11. Martin of Tours (316-397) was a Roman soldier who encountered a freezing beggar at the gates of Amiens and cut his military cloak in half to share it. That night he dreamed of Christ wearing the half-cloak. He was baptized and eventually became the beloved Bishop of Tours, one of the first non-martyrs declared a saint.

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Frequently asked questions

When should I start the Novena to Saint Martin of Tours?

Begin on November 2 to end on November 10, the eve of the feast on November 11.

How do I pray the Novena to Saint Martin of Tours?

Pray the daily prayer once a day, and share something with someone in need.

Who is the Novena to Saint Martin of Tours for?

It is for soldiers, the generous and anyone who cares for the poor.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play