Martin of Leon

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Saint Martin of Leon, with Saint Isidore of Seville appearing before him

Saint Martin of Leon (ca. 1130—January 12, 1203) was a priest and canon regular of the Augustinian Order. Born at León, Martin, along with his father Juan, withdrew from the world to the canonry of St. Marcellinus in León after his mother died. Martin was educated at this canonry. After the death of his father, Martin decided to undertake a major pilgrimage, visiting Rome and Constantinople.

Returning to Spain he took the religious habit at St. Marcellinus, but this monastery having been secularized by the bishops he entered the collegiate church of St. Isidore in the same city. This is a church he went on to endow and is where centuries earlier Saint Isidore had been ordained, hence its name.

Martin distinguished himself by his zealous observance, his charity, and his deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. The date of his death is given us by the necrology preserved in the monastery. He died on January 12, 1203 of natural causes. His feast day is January 12. The religious of St. Isidore's dedicated a chapel to Martin very early and celebrated his feast each year.

[edit] Works

He wrote commentaries on different Epistles and the Apocalypse, and left numerous discourses on the most varied subjects. His complete works were published first by Espinosa (Seville, 1782), Migne in P.L., LXXXI, 53-64, CCVIII, CCIX (Paris, 1855).