Born in 316 AD in Pannonia , a region that belonged to Hungary, Martin wanted to live as a monk, but was made a Bishop. He was born just after the persecutions had ended in 313 AD, and so did not see much torture. However it was not easy to live as a Christian. All we know about St Martin came to us through Sulpicius Severus, who once knocked on Martin’s door as a beggar. Martin welcomed him, washed his hands and his feet and treated him with kindness. Sulpicius became Martin's disciple, as well as his biographer. He served in the Roman cavalry in Gaul, but left military service at some point prior to 361, when he became a monk and a disciple of St Hilary of Poitiers. He was consecrated as Bishop of Tours in 371. He died in 397 AD. Martin lived as a monk in Poitiers at first but then was made a Bishop of Tours in France. He was kind to everyone and the famous story about him helping another beggar by giving him half of his cape is well documented. A popular custom in Malta is that children go around collecting snacks like walnuts, hazelnuts, oranges and apples, candy and a few coins which all the kids enjoy as they wait for the Christmas season.
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