Calendar Class of November 11, 2025
- Andrea Kirk Assaf
- Nov 11
- 3 min read
A Carpe Diem Snapshot:
Liturgical: Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
Sanctoral: The Roman Martyrology commemorates St. Mennas of Egypt (d. 300), an Egyptian soldier and martyr, put to death during Diocletian's reign.
The Church also celebrates the Memorial of St. Martin of Tours (ca. 316-398). St. Martin is the first bishop and confessor honored by the Church in the West. He was a principal apostle of Gaul, where his feast was celebrated as a holyday of obligation with an octave and popular celebrations.
St. Martin's feast, also known as "Martinmas" in Europe arrives in autumn, the beginning of the wine harvest. This was also the time of slaughter of the stock for winter meat. His images are usually depicted with a goose, symbolizing that Martinmas was the last festive meal before Advent, because in France in the Middle Ages, the strict 40 day Advent fast (called Quadragesima Sancti Martini or Forty Days' Fast of Saint Martin's) began the next day. So in past centuries November 11 was celebrated as a thanksgiving day. Thus it was the custom to have "St. Martin's Goose" and taste the new wine ("Saint Martin's Wine") on his feast day. A quick spell of warm weather around his feast day (usually termed "Indian Summer" in the US) is known as "St. Martin's Little Summer" in Europe.
Patronage: Against impoverishment; against poverty; alcoholism; beggars; Burgenland; cavalry; equestrians; France; geese; horse men; horses; hotel-keepers; innkeepers; Mainz, Germany; quartermasters; reformed alcoholics; riders; soldiers; tailors; vintners; wine growers; wine makers.
Human: Veterans Day (USA), Remembrance Day (Canada)On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month of the year 1918, an armistice was signed, ending the "war to end all wars." November 11 was set aside as Armistice Day in the United States to remember the sacrifices that men and women made during the war in order to ensure a lasting peace. In 1938 Congress voted Armistice Day as a legal holiday, but World War II began the following year. Armistice Day was still observed after the end of the Second World War. In 1953 townspeople in Emporia, Kansas called the holiday Veterans Day in gratitude to the veterans in their town. Soon after, Congress passed a bill renaming the national holiday to Veterans Day. Today, we remember those who have served for our country in the armed forces in our prayers. For more information, read about Veterans Day.
Prayers for those in service and for their families may be found here.
Natural: Cook a special dinner of roast goose or duck in honor of St. Martin. Bake some horseshoe cookies. Visit Catholic Cuisine for other recipe inspiration.
In Europe this day is traditionally known as Martinmas. Many foods and traditions are connected with this day. See also the archive of Women for Faith and Family for more Catholic traditions.
St. Martin is patron saint of wine growers, wine makers and vintners. In France, the tasting of the new wine is done today. Have a Martinmas gathering, serving this year's Beaujolais noveau wine from France.
Italian: San Martino, cavaliere,
ti ringrazio per la luce,
che per strada mi conduce,
e mi illumina il cammin.
--traditional children's song for the feast of San Martino
Quote: "Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die." — G.K. Chesterton
Comments