Born in 520 in what is now Hungary, little is known about his early years except that he had a Greek education. 

However, we do know that, when Martin was a young man, he made a pilgrimage to Palestine, where he became a Monk. 

There he met another group of pilgrims who he traveled with to what is now Portugal, to bring The Word of The Lord to those who had not heard it, but also, to fight a heresy that denied Christ’s humanity. 

Taking a strategic approach, he befriended King Theodomer and won the admiration of the Royal Family. 

Then, he converted the King and his entire Court, before moving on to their subjects. 

Martin founded numerous monasteries and became a prolific writer, known especially for his moral teaching. 

He spent more than a quarter of a century growing the new Christian community and was successful in rooting out the last remnants of paganism. 

In 550 he was made Bishop and then Archbishop of Braga. He died in 580. 

St. Martin of Braga, please pray for us.