Patron of the city of Buenos Aires
 
Fulfilling an ancient tradition, Don Juan de Garay and the first members of the council, a few days after the founding of the City, October 20, 1580, they met to give a saint as protector and patron. The lot fell on San Martin. The story which later passed from mouth to mouth until today is that neighbors, seeing the name of a "French saint", refused to guard a city outside the Spanish colonies. They reiterated the election, and three times did the same name, thus considering it was God himself who wanted this holy patronage. The truth is that since the election day San Martin de Tours became an important part of the history and life of the City of Buenos Aires.
Martin of Tours, was born in Hungary almost 1700 years ago, around the year 316. He received his education in Pavia, Italy, and although he was inclined for religion, his father was a military tribune, brought him into the Roman imperial guard at the age of 15 years, where he served on horseback, first in Italy and then in Gaul (now France); there came the nickname "Gentleman".

When he was 21, a cold winter day Roman troops enter the city of Amiens, France, and Martin is near the city gate to a shivering beggar, who gives half of his cloak, because the other half belongs to the Roman army. Christ appeared to him dressed in the following night, with the middle layer to thank the gesture, saying: "Today you covered me with your cloak."

Martin then decided to leave the Roman army and serve God, which can not be done immediately, to deny your license retirement emperor, Julian Caesar. When the Roman legions were preparing for battle against the barbarian invaders, Juliano passed before the legions aligned in perfect order, giving an economic incentive to every soldier. Juliano approaching, Martin said: "Until now, Caesar, I fought for you, lets fight for God now who intends to remain a soldier to accept your donation, I am a soldier of Christ, it is not lawful for me to follow. in the army".

Julian would not allow among its troops or desertion or dissent. I could send a run, but Martin was appreciated by the soldiers and make it would lower morale and cause discontent among the troops on the eve of the battle, so he preferred to discredit Martin saying in a loud voice: "The barbarians attack us tomorrow and We have to respond forcefully, the safety of the Empire in danger. Your attitude, dear Martin, seems to be motivated more by fear than by your religious convictions. You say a Christian, that is, coward. Are you afraid to face the enemy. "

Filled with the Spirit of God, Martin said. "Tomorrow, at dawn, when you lay your legions in order of battle, let me first line, without weapons, shield and without a helmet and I internare quiet in the enemy ranks So I try my courage and loyalty and I'll show my fear that I have is not to die but to shed the blood of other men. "

This was agreed. Incredibly, in the morning the Barbarians sued for peace and surrendered. The official noted that chronic barbarians did not dare to face the military expertise of Julian. But some legionaries claimed that what was really scared them have known, thanks to his spies, the Romans were so confident of victory that had soldiers who would come to unarmed combat. Juliano had no choice but to allow Martin to leave the military life.

Immediately after, Martin was baptized and joined the disciples of St. Hilary at Poitiers. After a few years he retired to a small island near Genoa, leading a life of silence, prayer, study of Scripture, meditation and austerity, as a hermit. But Hilary asked to return to San Martin Poitiers and there founded the first monastery that was in France, in the town of Ligugé.

The people surrounding got for your prayers and blessings, many cures and wonders. When later asked what he had exercised professions responded: "I was welded obligation and duty and inclination monk and to save my soul."

One day he was invited to Tours with the excuse that she needed a serious illness, but it was that people wanted to become bishop. It was just in the cathedral whole crowd hailed him as bishop of Tours, but Martin, by humility, escaped and hid in a hiding but was betrayed by the noise of a goose honking kept to. There they met and even though he was declared unworthy of this position, he was forced to accept. So in some pictures it depicted a goose beside the saint. Thus, in 370 he was consecrated bishop of Tours (France).

One of his first acts was to found another monastery, that of Marmoutiers, which quickly had 80 monks. During his ministry in Tours fought against paganism, the worship of false idols and contributed especially in spreading the Christian faith, although this was not always easy.

He traveled throughout the territory of his diocese leaving a priest in every village. He was founder of rural parishes in France. Says St. Sulpice, his biographer and disciple, that the people were astonished to see Martin always in a good mood, happy and friendly. That in dealing used the most exquisite kindness with everyone.

In the 27 years he was bishop affection of all his people won, and charity to the needy was inexhaustible. The only ones who did not want were some guys who wanted to live with his vices, but the saint did not let them. In one of them, he invented all kinds of stories against San Martin, because he was criticizing his bad habits, said the saint when advised to do punish him: "If Christ bore Judas, why have I not endure this betrays me? ".

With several government employees had strong discussions, because tortured prisoners to declare their crimes. Our saint was totally opposed to this, and although it's enmity won senior officials did not allow torture.

Martin knew by revelation when he was coming death and the news to his many disciples. They met with his sickbed and begged him crying: "You move away father of us, and leave us alone and helpless orphans?". In response, the saint looks toward heaven and prays: "Lord, if something can still be useful not refuse or reject any work and occupation you want to send me."

But God decided he had worked and suffered enough and took him to receive in heaven the reward for his great work on earth. He died in Candes, France, in 397, at the age of 81.

The average mantle of St. Martin (who cut his sword to give to the poor) was kept in an urn and he built a small shrine to save this relic. As in Latin to mean "half cloak" "chapel" is said, people said: "We will pray where the chapel is." And hence the name chapel, which gives small rooms that are made to pray.

He is the patron saint of soldiers, weavers and textile manufacturers. Patron of France, Hungary and the cities of Utrecht in the Netherlands and Buenos Aires, Argentina, among others. In Mexico, it is patron of Acayucan, San Martin Texmelucan and tixtla. Holy highly revered worldwide, has under its patronage thousands of parishes throughout Europe and Latin America.