Today is Martinmas, the Feast of St. Martin of Tours, and a great celebration in the Catholic sense. This is the end of the autumn season and essentially a “Catholic Thanksgiving.” There are many traditions associated with today. Tomorrow is the beginning of the Advent Fast known as St. Martin’s Lent.
Secondly, today is Veterans Day (originally called Armistice Day). President Woodrow Wilson, an anti-Catholic at heart, started this day in an attempt to blot out the long-held practice of honoring St. Martin. While today is a fitting day for us to recall the lives of those who perished, honor their service, and commend the repose of their souls to God in prayer, let us not forget the Catholic sense of praying for the dead and those in the military.
Make an effort today to thank a veteran. And make an effort to pray for all who have died in battle – those in World War I, World War II, more recent conflicts, and those from centuries ago who sadly are forgotten. If the souls of those who died in such battles of long ago are still in Purgatory, no one in likely praying for them. Make an effort to pray for all the dead veterans of all times today.
St. Martin of Tours, pray for us to have true Christian charity!
For the repose of all of the souls of the dead…Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Requiem aeternam…
For all living veterans who struggle with addictions, employment issues, or health issues…Pater Noster, Ave Maria…
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
