This year, St. Martin Parish in Rome will kick off a new tradition in honor of their patron saint: a coat drive through all of November. COURTESY OF ST. MARTIN PARISH
St. Martin Parish introduces a new tradition in honor of patron saint
BY NICOLE GRAY, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
We are excited to kick off a new tradition at St. Martin Parish in honor of our patron, St. Martin of Tours. This year, we’re focusing on giving back to those in need, especially our veterans, by hosting a special coat drive throughout November.
St. Martin of Tours, known for his act of kindness as a Roman soldier, famously cut his cloak in half to share with a freezing beggar. This simple yet powerful act of mercy led him to become a Christian and later the bishop of Tours. St. Martin’s example of generosity and compassion truly captures the spirit of our parish. In honor of his legacy, we will be collecting new coats throughout November to help those in need, particularly veterans. As we approach the colder months, this is a chance for us to provide warmth and comfort and show our gratitude to those who have served our country.
It’s fitting that our coat drive coincides with St. Martin’s feast day on Nov. 11, which is also Veteran’s Day. As the patron saint of soldiers and beggars, his life is a reminder of service and compassion. By focusing on veterans, we honor both his past as a soldier and his love for the poor.
We aim to gather as many new coats as possible to support local shelters and organizations that serve those struggling, especially veterans facing homelessness or financial difficulties. We encourage everyone to get involved. Let’s come together, to make a difference for veterans and those in need.
Nicole Gray is the communications director for St. Martin Parish in Rome, Ky. To learn how to help with the coat drive, call the parish office at (270) 685-0339.
Originally printed in the October 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
