The Washington times., 1919-11-11
Nominating a Patron Saint
Here Is Chance For America to Have Double
Celebration

recent Paris dispatch said that the greatest celebra
ion of Armisce Day which is today, will be held in the
city of Tours.
America today celebrates November II for the second
time France and other European countries have made this
festal date for centuries in honor of st. Martin patron Of
the city of Tours and of beggars tavern keepers and vine
growers
ST. Martin a of Roman military tribune, born
at sabaria Hungary about S6 he bred soldier but
forsook the army for monastic seclusion.
Many interesting legends connected with the life of
St. Martin. It during his military that he d
Tded his cloak with poor beggar shveng the gate of
Amiens He recalled to e for the purpose of baptism
two persons who had died without that sacrament
The feast Of Matinmas as celebrated in Europe occurs
at that genial period Of the year when the harvest in the
meat animals slaughtered and the wine is first opened
Thus the feast Of ST. Martin becomes associated with good
cheer and the Saint has inherited of the characters
tics of the ancient Bacchus The Danes and the Saxons
used to make St. Martins Day the occasion of special
csrouse which evidently borrowed of its details from
the Roman original
St. Martin was buried on November H. Europe OBJ
the day Of his burial rather than that of his birth
inst because knows when he born; second
celebrate accomplishment rather than promise.
Twenty three years ago the Holy Gross Magazine organ
Of the exsme high party of the Episcopaans suggested
that since America has patron saint the omission be
piled by the selection Of St. Martin.
The magazine pointed out that St. Martin was not an
American but added that this does not constitute valid
objection since few countries have countryen as patrons
Engands patron saint George from Cappadocia St.
Patrick, patron of Ireland a native of France.
The Holy Gross Magazine writer pointed out that the
democratic simplicity Of life and strength Of character of
St Martin his independence and his rugged virtue make
him very fitting and congenia patron saint for America
The variety of his experiences a soldier exorcst
hermit monk and bishop also this writer be
passport to the affections Of people whose avocations are
apt to have nearly as wide a range
St Martin too appears to him especially qualified to be
the patron saint Of the country whose population made
up Of many natonaities for Hungarian by birth he
was educated in Lombardy soldier in Csalpne and
Transalpine Gaul, hermit Genoa and bishop be-
tween Tours, France, and Treves, Germany.
America could not follow exactly the celebration of
st Martins Day in Europe where the fat goose is washed
down by copous draughts Of wine.
Some Of the other features of celebration however
might be interesting suggestions In Yorkshire women
begin the feast by peregnatng around the village carry
ing with them small wax images of the Saviour.
At st. Peters, Athone, Ireland every family in the
village kills animal of some kind or other.
The children of the salt miners of Halle fill jugs with
water and kick them singing:
MARITIME MARITIME
Change the water to wine
The parents then secretly take the jugs empty the
water refill them with wne and hide them The children
seek out the and find that the good answered
their prayers.
At Dunkerque the whole population claims the privilege
OF going mad from until p m. in celebration of
the fact that St. Martins lost was found near that
place
America wants patron saint, it might 90 further
and fare than to select st. Martin with November
II as the date Of celebration.