On November 11 we were pleased to join pupils, families and staff at Norwich Steiner School to celebrate Martinmas, a festival that marks the beginning of the winter season and honours the story of St Martin.
The celebration included sharing traditional moon bread, apple juice, a drama sketch telling the story and singing St Martin songs together before taking part in a lantern procession around the school grounds as darkness fell. The warm glow of the lanterns symbolised carrying light and kindness into the darker winter months.
For St Martins, the occasion held special significance. The charity takes its name from St Martin of Tours, who is remembered for sharing his cloak with a man experiencing homelessness and hardship. His story of compassion and generosity continues to inspire our work today as we support people experiencing homelessness across Norwich.
The event also reflected the strong relationship between St Martins and the local community. Last month, a member of the St Martins team and one of our residents visited the school to speak with pupils about homelessness, helping to build understanding and encourage compassionate conversations.
We were grateful to be invited to take part in such a meaningful celebration and to share in a tradition that reminds us all of the importance of kindness, community and looking out for one another.
The Story of St Martin
More than 1,600 years ago, a Roman soldier named Martin was travelling on horseback during a bitterly cold winter. As he approached the city gates of Amiens in France, he saw a man who was poor, homeless and shivering in the freezing weather.
Martin felt compassion for the man, so he took off his military cloak, drew his sword and cut the cloak in half. He gave one half to the man so that he could keep warm.
That night, Martin had a dream in which he saw Jesus wearing the piece of cloak he had shared. In the dream, Jesus told the angels around him that Martin had clothed him, even though Martin was not yet a Christian. The experience changed Martin’s life.
Martin left the army and devoted himself to helping others. He became known for his care for people who were poor, sick or excluded. Eventually, he became Bishop of Tours in France.
After his death on 11 November 397, Martin was remembered as a saint. Across Europe, people began celebrating Martinmas on 11 November each year. The festival marks St Martin’s generosity and compassion, and in many places it includes lantern walks that symbolise carrying light and hope into the darkness of winter.
Today, St Martin’s story continues to inspire people to look out for those facing hardship.