Martinstag
St. Martin was born Martinus, the son of a Roman military tribune in what is now Hungary, in 316 A.D. Because of his father's job, Martin's family moved to Italy, where he grew up. He joined the Roman army when he was about 14. At the age of 18 he was baptized, became a monk in France, and in 371 became the third bishop of Tours, France. He performed missionary work and helped the poor and ostracized. He lived to be 81 years old.
There are many legends about Martin. One was that he was riding his horse when he saw a beggar at the side of the road. The beggar was freezing cold, so St. Martin cut his cloak in two with his sword, and shared it with him. Another one is about how Martin was tricked into becoming the Bishop. Martin wanted to be just a monk but he went to help someone in Tours and was told he would be the Bishop. He ran away to hide but a goose or geese gave away his hiding place. There are many more stories about the great works and acts of Martin. St. Martin's Day is celebrated on 11 November. It is celebrated in many countries in varying ways. Children may put on a short play about Martin's life or show how he helped the beggar. Often someone dressed up as Martin rides a horse and leads a parade. Young children in Germany make or buy lanterns, walk in parades, and sing songs for his special day. Bands often play the music for the special songs that children sing. After the parade there is often a bonfire and they serve foods like "Weckman" (special kind of bread) or Brezel (pretzels) and drinks like heiße Schokolade (hot chocolate) . See the sites below for more about St. Martin's Day. |
For more information and sources:
http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__W__t__G/01/08__St__Martin/St__Martin__S.html
http://www.ukgermanconnection.org/kids-stmartins-day
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/st-martin
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/366997/Saint-Martin-of-Tours
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Martin_of_Tours
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Saint_Martin.aspx#2
http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/kids/saints/1111.asp
http://www.users.csbsju.edu/~eknuth/npnf2-11/sulpitiu/lifeofst.html (more advanced reading)
Songs:
Below is a site with songs listed and 2 examples.
http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=1306&c=38
http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__W__t__G/01/08__St__Martin/St__Martin__S.html
http://www.ukgermanconnection.org/kids-stmartins-day
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/st-martin
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/366997/Saint-Martin-of-Tours
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Martin_of_Tours
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Saint_Martin.aspx#2
http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/kids/saints/1111.asp
http://www.users.csbsju.edu/~eknuth/npnf2-11/sulpitiu/lifeofst.html (more advanced reading)
Songs:
Below is a site with songs listed and 2 examples.
http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=1306&c=38