Three times. Can you believe it? Three times the name San Martín de Tours was drawn to be the patron saint of Buenos Aires. We are standing before Capilla San Martín de Tours. It is a testament to faith. It is a nod to divine will. The story of this chapel is intertwined with the very origins of Buenos Aires.
In 1580 after the city’s founding, it needed a patron saint. The founders decided to draw names. They wrote names of saints on ballots. A child drew the winning name. The first draw revealed San Martín de Tours. Some objected. They saw him as a French saint. So, they repeated the process twice more. Each time, San Martín de Tours emerged. The founders accepted it as divine will. San Martín became the patron saint of Buenos Aires.
But who was San Martín de Tours? He was born in Pannonia now Hungary around 316 AD. He was the son of pagan parents. Martín followed his father’s path. He joined the Roman imperial guard at 15. While serving, he converted to Christianity. He was admitted as a catechumen.
One cold day in Amiens France, Martín encountered a beggar. The man was shivering. Martín drew his sword. He divided his cloak in two. He gave half to the beggar. He kept the other half out of respect for the Roman Empire. This act of charity stunned onlookers. Roman officers rarely showed compassion.
Days later, Martín had a dream. Christ appeared to him. Christ told angels “Martín, still a catechumen has covered me with this garment”. This act of love and justice became famous. It appeared in art. The story is immortalized in paintings.
After leaving the military, Martín joined Saint Hilary of Poitiers’ disciples. He lived a life of prayer. Hilary later had to leave Poitiers. Martín settled in Milan. He converted his mother to Christianity. When Hilary returned, Martín joined him. He helped build a monastery in Ligugé. It was one of the first in Europe. Martín lived as a monk for ten years.
He was then chosen as bishop of Tours. As bishop, he fought pagan influence. He also established the Maius Monasterium. This was also known as Marmoutier. For 25 years, he traveled spreading the word. He died in Candes in 397.
After his death, the half cloak he gave the beggar was preserved. A small sanctuary was built for it. This may be the origin of the word “chapel”. The Latin word for “small cloak” is “capella”. People would say “Let’s go pray where the capella is”. “Capilla” became the word for small places of prayer.
Today San Martín de Tours is the patron saint of Buenos Aires. Every November 11th, his feast is celebrated. The city honors him. The Plaza San Martín de Tours in Recoleta has a bronze sculpture. It shows Martín giving his cloak to the beggar.
As you stand before this chapel, remember the story. Remember the soldier who shared his cloak. Remember the saint chosen by divine will. Capilla San Martín de Tours is a symbol of charity faith and the enduring spirit of Buenos Aires.