St. Martin's Day

Today is a double holiday for American Catholics. It is both the feast of St. Martin of Tours and Veterans Day. These two holidays are connected by more than a date. St. Martin was a Roman soldier, who converted to Christ. At the time of his conversion he laid aside his sword. He knew that he was now a soldier of Christ in the "army of peace." So he became, and still remains, a powerful symbol of the peace that we await from Christ. Since he was a powerful symbol of peace, traditionally peace treaties were signed on his feast day. This custom was maintained even at the end of World War I, which is what Veterans Day commerates.