2023-11-11 09:21:41
When most people think of St. Martin’s Day, they first think of lantern parades and children singing. But there is much more to the Christian holiday.
BILD has compiled all the information about the customs on St. Martin’s Day.
Who do we celebrate on St. Martin’s Day?
Saint Martin of Tours was born around 316 AD in the Roman province of Pannoia (modern-day Hungary) and died on November 8, 397 in Cades near Tours in France. He was the third Bishop of Tours and is revered not only in the Catholic but also in the Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant Churches.
Since the entombment was on November 11th, the holiday was set on this date. By the way, people also speak of St. Martin’s Festival or Martini.
On this occasion, Protestants also celebrate the church reformer Martin Luther, who was born on November 10, 1483.
What is the story behind the holiday?
On St. Martin’s Day we celebrate the saint’s good deeds. There are two stories about this:
► As a Roman soldier, Martin of Tours encountered a freezing beggar. Then, out of charity, he divided his cloak into two halves and gave one to the needy and the other he put around his shoulders. The night after the crime, Martin had a dream in which it turned out that the beggar was actually Jesus Christ. He then turned his back on his military career and became a clergyman. Saint Martin is still venerated today for his good deeds. He should be a role model for more humanity and charity.
► After his service in the Roman army, he was to be appointed bishop at the request of the people. Modest as he was, he felt unworthy of the office and went into hiding. When he tried to hide in a goose pen, the animals gave him away with loud chatter. The villagers discovered him and Martin became bishop after all.
Unfortunately for the geese, Martin had them roasted as punishment. This is how the St. Martin’s goose custom came into being.
Why is Saint Martin so popular?
When the Emperor wanted to publicly present him with a bonus so that he would stay in the military, he refused it and used the opportunity to tell the Emperor in front of everyone: I’m quitting!
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Later he was the only bishop to refuse to pay homage to Emperor Maximus. He refused, saying he didn’t want to sit at the same table as a man who had gained power through violence and murder. The emperor himself is said to have secretly respected him for this.
Although he became rich, he continued to advocate for the poor as a bishop. For example, he is said to have spent an entire winter night in front of a castle gate to prevent the death penalty for some unjustly convicted people – with success.
Saint Martin became the patron saint of the poor and stands for charity and strength of character.
What customs are there?
► The St. Martin’s lantern is probably the most famous symbol of the holiday, which children carry in early evening parades. You are welcome to make the lights yourself. The glow is intended to drive away the darkness and proclaim the message of St. Martin.
Light is very important in Christian symbolism, it represents Christ. The darkness, on the other hand, for evil.
► The lantern parade is traditionally organized by church communities. The procession was to be led by a rider with a red coat – Saint Martin. At the end, donations are often collected for social projects. The parades are of course open to all children, not just Christian ones. Kindergartens, communities and primary schools also organize lantern parades.
“Holy Saint Martin” rides past the cathedral in Cologne (North Rhine-Westphalia) during a St. Martin’s procession on November 10, 2017
Photo: picture alliance / Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa
The largest St. Martin’s parades take place in Worms, Kempen, Essen and Bocholt, among others. For organizational reasons, they also take place on other days around November 11th.
► Singing is traditionally part of the lantern parade. The most famous songs are:
“Lantern, lantern”, “I go with my lantern”, “Saint Martin”, “A beggar sat in the cold snow”, “Saint Martin was a pious man”
Here is the children’s song to sing along to:
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► The St. Martin’s fire burns after the parade. The participants gather together and light a large fire.
► The Stutenkerl or Weckmann is a little man made of yeast dough that is distributed to children during the St. Martin’s fire. The pastry often contains raisins and is decorated with a tiny plaster pipe.
► St. Martin’s goose is part of the holiday and is traditionally eaten with red cabbage, bread dumplings or potato dumplings. The slaughter season for geese is now beginning in many places.
► A goose poem is recited before the traditional meal.
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