Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop

How many lepers did Jesus heal, and how many came back to say thank you?

The city gate at Amiens, in Gaul, on a day so cold the ground crunched. A young cavalryman rode up in his military cloak and saw what everyone else was walking past: a man with almost nothing on, shaking in the wind. St. Martin had no money to give. So he drew his sword, cut his cloak down the middle, and wrapped half around the beggar’s shoulders. That night, the story goes, St. Martin dreamed of Jesus surrounded by angels and wearing the piece he had given away. “Martin, still a catechumen, clothed me,” Jesus said.

Why did St. Martin cut his cloak in half instead of giving the whole thing away?

Walk to the end of the driveway at dusk with a flashlight or jar candle, say one thank you each, and pray a Hail Mary for veterans.

A saint who is asked to pray especially for a certain group of people, a place, or a kind of work. You can have a patron saint too: the saint you are named for, or the one you chose at Confirmation.

Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.

Why did Jesus say the Samaritan’s faith made him well if all ten were healed?

Lord Jesus, you wore the half-cloak that St. Martin gave to a beggar. Help us see you in everyone who is cold or hungry. Bless the soldiers and veterans who kept us safe, and bring peace to the world. Thank you for all your gifts tonight. Amen.

The people of Israel had asked for a king to rule over them, and now they had their wish. “Long live the king!” they shouted, as Saul stood before them, and again, “Long live the king!”

The first instance — the healing of the man with leprosy (Matt. 8:1–4) — is especially instructive. The leper states simply, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” This man has the proper attitude for a prayer of petition; an attitude having two aspects: (1) faith that Jesus does have the power to grant the request (“you can make me clean”), and (2) submission to God’s will (“if you will”). St. John Chrysostom, commenting on this passage, states:

Tomorrow, November 12, is St. Josaphat, a bishop and martyr of the Eastern Catholic Church (red vestments): tonight, look up the nearest Byzantine or Ukrainian Catholic parish and note its Sunday liturgy time, and tell the kids they will learn to make the Sign of the Cross the Eastern way. Friday, November 13, is St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen saint: pull out a world map or globe and find out where your family’s ancestors came from, since Friday is immigrant story night. Friday is also a day of penance; plan a meatless dinner.