St Martin was a conscientious objector who wanted to be a monk. Born of pagan parents in Hungary and raised in Italy. He was forced at the age of 15 to serve in the army. He became a Christian catechumen and was baptised at the age of 18. It was said that he spent his life living more like a monk than a soldier. At the age of 23, he refused fight and told his commander: “I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ. Saint Martin is the patron of the poor, soldiers, conscientious objectors, tailors, and winemakers. His feast is on November 11. He commonly appears on horseback and is shown cutting his cloak in half with a
