The Fast of Saint Martin: Preparation for Christmas

For those in the know, we are currently well into the Fast of St. Martin. For those not in the know, they will wonder what in the world is that!

The Fast of St. Martin was practiced in medieval times to prepare for Christmas. It predated the current Advent preparation. The Fast of St. Martin was a stringent way to abstain from certain types and quantities of food and to pray more and do works of charity, in preparing the soul to celebrate Christmas.

Those who are observing the Fast of St. Martin are few in the world today. Members of the Confraternity of Penitents are some of the few people who observe this fast, particularly because they are living a Rule of Life, given to them by St. Francis of Assisi, who lived at a time when the Fast of St. Martin was regularly observed.

St. Martin of Tours was a popular saint in medieval times. He had been a soldier who was pictured cutting his cloak in half and sharing it with a shivering, nearly naked beggar. The Feast of St. Martin was celebrated on November 11, and the fast began the next day and lasted until Christmas. During the Fast of St. Martin, the Confraternity of Penitents and a few other religious groups daily follow the type of fasting done on Good Friday and Ash Wednesday. However, those wishing to get a jump on Advent preparation for Christmas, may want to start observing this fast now in some way, probably not as strictly as the penitents, but in some fashion. Most of us reading this blog have more than enough to eat, and more than enough to wear, and probably more than enough to do. So in preparation for Christmas, consider having less to eat, reducing your wardrobe, and spending more time in prayer and charitable works and less time in the activities you normally do.

How about these suggestions?

Reduce the size of your meals by one quarter. In other words, put on your plate approximately 75% of the food that you would normally eat. Estimate how much money you are saving with this fast. Then, at Christmas, make a donation to a charity of your choice with the amount of money that you saved.

Here is a suggestion for clothing. Do not go out and buy anything new. Instead, go through your wardrobe and find five excessive garments that you do not need. Put those into the used clothing bin in your area.

How much time do you spend on the Internet? Subtract 10 minutes from that time every day and spend it reading Scripture or a spiritual book, or spend it in quiet, contemplative prayer.

A little penance in each of the areas of food, possessions, and time will go far in preparing you for Christmas. St. Martin, who was known for his prayers and penances after his conversion from the military life, would smile upon you for trying to observe this penitential time.