Attend Mass for St. Martin
St. Martin’s Feast is on November 11 in both the old and new calendars. If you’d like to attend a Traditional Latin Mass, you can find one near you here. Offer your Mass intentions in honor of St. Martin of Tours, asking for his intercession to live out charity and compassion in your daily life. Reflect on his famous act of sharing his cloak with a beggar, a symbol of his profound humility and generosity.
Host a Bonfire and Potluck
Martinmas is often celebrated with bonfires, symbolizing the warmth and light St. Martin brought into the world. Host a bonfire with family, friends, or parish members, and invite everyone to bring a dish to share. Sing songs or hymns honoring St. Martin, and consider organizing a small “lantern walk,” a German tradition where children carry homemade lanterns and sing songs as they process in the evening, commemorating St. Martin’s light to the world.
Roast Goose or Duck with Apple Stuffing
In Europe, particularly Germany, a traditional Martinmas feast features roast goose or duck, often with an apple stuffing. According to legend, St. Martin tried to avoid becoming a bishop by hiding among the geese, but their honking gave him away. This meal is hearty and fitting for the start of winter, symbolizing both the celebration of the harvest and a hearty farewell to the milder days.
Roast Goose or Duck with Apple Stuffing
Roast goose or duck is a traditional dish served on St. Martin’s Day, or Martinmas, especially in Germany and parts of Europe. The meal commemorates a legend in which St. Martin, trying to avoid the role of bishop out of humility, hid among the geese—only to have their honking reveal his hiding place. This hearty, flavorful dish marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, reminding us of St. Martin’s humility, generosity, and dedication to service.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole goose or duck, about 8-10 lbs for goose, or 4-6 lbs for duck
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2-3 apples, cored and quartered
- 1-2 onions, quartered
- 2-3 fresh sprigs of rosemary or thyme
- 1-2 cloves of garlic, peeled
- 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth (optional, for basting)
- Optional: 1 orange, quartered, for extra flavor in the cavity
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a rack in the roasting pan to allow the fat to drain as the goose or duck roasts.
- Prepare the Bird: Pat the goose or duck dry with paper towels. Trim any excess fat, especially from the neck and cavity, as these birds are naturally fatty. Prick the skin all over with a fork (taking care not to pierce the meat) to help render the fat and ensure crisp skin.
- Season and Stuff: Generously season the inside of the cavity with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the apple quarters, onion pieces, garlic cloves, herbs, and optional orange slices for extra aroma.
- Season the Skin: Rub the outside of the bird with salt and pepper. Place the bird breast-side up on the rack in the roasting pan.
- Roast the Bird: Place the roasting pan in the oven. For goose, roast for about 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh. For duck, roast for about 1.5 to 2 hours, until it reaches the same internal temperature. Baste every 30-45 minutes with pan juices or a little white wine or broth for added moisture and flavor.
- Rest and Serve: Once the bird is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute.
- Serve with Sides: Carve and serve with roasted root vegetables, potatoes, or braised cabbage for a traditional Martinmas feast.
This festive roast is best enjoyed with loved ones, honoring St. Martin’s legacy and sharing the bounty of the season in warmth and gratitude.
Bake St. Martin’s Horseshoes
St. Martin’s Horseshoes are a traditional pastry made on Martinmas, November 11, to honor St. Martin of Tours. Shaped like horseshoes to represent the saint’s iconic white horse, these treats celebrate St. Martin’s generosity and humility. In some traditions, baking and sharing these sweet pastries symbolizes bringing warmth and kindness to others, just as St. Martin famously shared his cloak with a beggar. These simple pastries are perfect for sharing at a Martinmas gathering or as a family activity, reminding everyone to carry forward St. Martin’s spirit of charity.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the softened butter with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour until it’s workable.
- Shape the Horseshoes: Dust a surface with flour, and divide the dough into small balls (about the size of a tablespoon). Roll each ball into a 3-4 inch log and curve it into a horseshoe shape. Place each horseshoe on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once cooled, dust the horseshoes with powdered sugar for a light, snowy appearance.
These sweet, buttery horseshoes are a reminder of St. Martin’s journey and a symbol of the warmth and generosity we can offer to those around us. Share them with friends, family, or neighbors to bring a little Martinmas cheer!
Drink or Make Some Nouveau Beaujolais
Martinmas is also associated with the release of the year’s first wine, the Beaujolais Nouveau, which is celebrated in France around this time. This light, fruity red wine symbolizes the end of the harvest and the joy of community celebration. If available, enjoy a glass with friends and family, offering a toast in St. Martin’s honor.
Read about St. Martin in The Golden Legend
Martin was born in the castle of Sabaria in the country of Pannonia, but he was nourished in Italy at Pavia with his father, which was master and tribune of the knights under Constantian and Julian Cæsar. And Martin rode with him, but not with his will. For from his young infancy he was inspired divinely of God, and when he was twelve years old he fled to the church against the will of all his kin, and required to be made new in the faith. And from thence he would have entered into desert, if infirmity of malady had not let him. And as the emperors had ordained that the sons of ancient knights should ride instead of their fathers, and Martin, which was fifteen years old, was commanded to do the same, and was made knight, and was content with one servant, and yet ofttimes Martin would serve him and draw off his boots.
The Poor Man All Naked
In a winter time as Martin passed by the gate of Amiens, he met a poor man all naked, to whom no man gave any alms. Then Martin drew out his sword and carved his mantle therewith in two pieces in the middle, and gave that one half to the poor man, for he had nothing else to give to him, and he clad himself with that other half.
The Dream of St. Martin
The next night following, he saw our Lord Jesu Christ in heaven clothed with that part that he had given to the poor man, and said to the angels that were about him: Martin, yet new in the faith, hath covered me with this vesture. Of which thing this holy man was not enhanced in vain glory, but he knew thereby the bounty of God.
He is Baptized
And when he was eighteen years of age he did do baptize himself, and promised that he should renounce the dignity to be judge of the knights, and also the world, if his time of his provostry were accomplished.
“Protected and Kept by the Sign of the Cross”
Then held he yet chivalry two years. And in the meanwhile the barbarians entered among the Frenchmen, and Julian Cæsar, which should have fought against them, gave great money unto the knights. And Martin willing no more to fight, refused his gift, but said to Cæsar: I am a knight of Jesu Christ, it appertaineth not to me for to fight.
Then Julian was wroth, and said that it was not for the grace of religion that he renounced chivalry, but for fear and dread of the present battle following. To whom Martin, not being afeard, said to him: Because that thou holdest it for cowardice, and that I have not done it for good faith, I shall be to-morn all unarmed tofore the battle, and shall be protected and kept by the sign of the cross, and not by shield ne by helm, and shall pass through the battles of the enemies surely.
And then he was commanded to be kept for to be on the morn all unarmed against the enemies. But on the morn the enemies sent messengers that they would yield them and their goods, whereof it is no doubt but that by the merits of this holy man that this victory was had without shedding of blood.
St. Martin and the Thieves
And then forthon he left chivalry and went to St. Hilary, bishop of Poictiers and he made him acolyte. And he was warned of our Lord in his sleep that he should yet visit his father and mother which yet were paynims, and also that he should suffer many tribulations. For as he went over the mountains he fell among thieves. And when one of the thieves had lifted up an axe for to have smitten him in the head, he bare the stroke with his right hand, and then that other took his hands and bound them behind him at his back, and delivered him to another to hold him. And it was asked of him if he were afraid or doubted. To whom Martin answered that he was never tofore so sure, for he knew well that the mercy of God was ready and would come in temptations, and then began to preach to the thief and converted him to the faith of Jesu Christ; and then the thief brought Martin forth on his way, and afterward lived a good life.
Visit to His Parents
And when he was past Milan, the devil appeared to him in a man’s likeness, and demanded him whither he went. And he said: Thither whereas our Lord would that he should go.
And the devil said to him: Wheresoever thou goest the devil shall always be against thee.
And Martin answered to him: Our Lord is mine helper, and therefore I doubt nothing that may be done to me, and then anon the fiend vanished away. Then he went home and converted his mother, but his father abode still in his error.
St. Martin is Exiled by the Arian Heretics
And when the heresy Arian grew in the world, he was beaten openly and put out of the city, and came to Milan, and did do make there a monastery, but he was cast out of the Arians, and went with one priest only into the isle of Gallinaria and there took for his meat, herbs. And among others he took a herb envenomed, which was named hellebore. And when he felt that he should die and was in peril, he chased away the pain and peril of the venom by the virtue of prayer.
Two Dead Men Recalled to Life
And then he heard that the blessed Hilary returned from his exile, and went to meet him, and ordained a monastery by Poictiers.
And there was one renewed in the faith which he had in keeping. And when he went a little out and came again, he found him dead without baptism. And then he went into his cell and brought the corpse thither, and there kneeled by the corpse, and by his orisons he remised him in his life again. And as that same [man] rehearseth oft, that when the sentence was given against him, he was put in a dark place, and two angels said to the Judge: “This is he for whom Martin is pledge,” and then he [the Judge] commanded that he should be removed unto his body, and so was yielded alive to Martin.
And also he re-established the life to another that was hanged.
Chosen Bishop by the People of Tours
And truly, when the people of Tours had no bishop, they required strongly him to be their bishop, and he refused it. But there was one which was to him contrary because he was of evil habit and despicable of cheer, and one there was among the other which was named Defensor. And when the lector was not present, another took the psalter and read the first psalm that he found, in which psalm was written this verse: Ex ore infantium, “God, thou hast performed the laud by the mouth of children and young suckers, and for thine enemies thou shalt destroy the enemy defensor.” And thus that Defensor was chased out of the town by all the people.
And then he was ordained bishop. And because he might not suffer the tumult ne noise of the people, he established a monastery at two leagues from the city, and there lived in great abstinence with four score disciples, of whom divers cities chose of them to be their bishops.
St. Martin Exposes the False Martyr
And there was a corpse in a chapel which was worshipped as a martyr, and St. Martin could find nothing of his life ne of his merits. He came on a day on the sepulchre of him, and prayed unto our Lord that he would show to him what he was, and of what merit. And then he turned him on the left side and saw there a right obscure and a dark shadow. Then St. Martin conjured him, and demanded him what he was. And he said to him that he was a thief, and that for his wickedness was slain. Anon then St. Martin commanded that the altar should be destroyed.
St. Martin Has His Way with the Emperor Valentinian
It is read in the Dialogue of Severus and Gallus, disciples of St. Martin, that there be many things left out in the life of St. Martin which be accomplished in the said Dialogue. So on a time St. Martin went to Valentinian the emperor for a certain necessity, and the emperor knew well that he would require such thing as he would not give to him, and Martin came twice to have entered, but he might not enter. Then he wrapped him in hair and cast ashes on him, and made his flesh lean of a whole week by fastings, and did great abstinence, and then the angel warned him to go to the palace and no man should gainsay him. And then he went to the emperor, and when he saw him he was angry because he was let come in, and would not arise against him till that the fire entered into his chamber, and felt the fire behind him. Then he arose all angry and confessed that he had felt the virtue divine, and began to embrace St. Martin, and granted to him all that he desired, and offered to him many gifts, but he refused and took none.
A Child Recalled to Life
And in this Dialogue it is read how he raised the third dead person. For when a youngling was dead, his mother prayed St. Martin, with weeping tears, for to raise him to life. And he kneeled down and made his prayer, and the child arose tofore them all. And all the paynims that saw this converted them to the faith of Jesu Christ.
St. Martin’s Power Over the Natural World
And all things obeyed to this holy man, as well things not sensible as vegetative, and not reasonable, as things insensible, as the fire and water.
For when he had commanded to set fire in a temple, the flame was brought with the wind upon a house that was joining. And he mounted upon the house and set himself against the fire, and anon the flame returned against the might of the wind, so that there was seen the fighting of the elements.
And when a ship should have perished in the sea, there was therein a merchant which was not Christian, and escried and said: “God of St. Martin help us!” And anon the tempest ceased, and the sea became all still and even.
And also to him obeyed things vegetative as trees, for he destroyed in a place right old trees. And there was a tree of a pine, which was dedicated to the devil, he would have razed down that tree, and the villains and paynims withsaid him so that one of them said to him: If thou hast affiance in thy God, we shall hew down this tree, and thou shalt receive it. And if thy God be with thee as thou sayest, thou shalt escape. And he granted it, and then the tree was hewn and bounden for to fall upon him. And when it should fall he made the sign of the cross against it, and it fell on that other side and slew almost all the villains that were there, and then the others were converted to the faith when they had seen this miracle.
And many beasts not reasonable obeyed to him, like as it is said in the Dialogue: Hounds followed a hare, and he commanded them to leave to follow him, and anon they tarried, and abode still, like as they had been overcome. A serpent passed over a river, and St. Martin said to the serpent, “I command thee in the name of God that thou return anon.” And the serpent returned by the words of St. Martin, and went to that other side, and then St. Martin said, all weeping, “The serpents understand me well, and the men will not hear me.”
On a time as a hound barked on one of the disciples of St. Martin, the disciple returned and said to the hound: I command thee in the name of St. Martin that thou hold thy peace, and anon the hound was all still as his tongue had been cut off.
Recite the Iste Confessor
The Iste Confessor is a hymn traditionally associated with St. Martin. It is a beautiful, solemn hymn honoring confessors of the faith, sung in the Divine Office for saints who were not martyrs. Gather your family or pray alone, reciting or listening to a sung version of this hymn:
This is the day whereon the Lord’s true witness,
Whom all the nations lovingly do honour,
Worthy at least was found to wear forever
Glory transcendent
Loving, far-seeing, lowly, modest minded,
So kept he well an even course unstained
Ever while in his frame of manhood lingered
Life’s fitful breathings
Oft hath it been thro’ his sublime deserving
Poor human bodies, howsoever stricken
Broke and cast off the bondage of their sickness,
Healed Divinely.
Wherefore to him we raise the solemn chorus,
Chanting his praise and his surpassing triumph,
So may his pleading help us in the battle
All through the ages.
Healing and power, grace and beauteous honour
Always be His, who shining in the highest,
Ruleth and keepeth all the world’s vast order,
One God, three Persons.