Saint Martial

Martial (3rd century), called "the Apostle of the Gauls" or "the Apostle of Aquitaine", was the first

Life

There is no accurate information as to the origin, dates of birth and death, or the acts of this bishop. According to

Martial died in Limoges and was buried outside the

The Miracula Martialis, an account of 7th-, 8th- and 9th-century miracles, was written shortly after 854.

The influx of pilgrims to the abbey where the historical Martial lay buried encouraged the creation of an elaborate hagiography during the 10th century. As the hagiography grew, Martial was moved back in time: now, sent into Gaul by Peter himself, he is said to have evangelized not only the Province of Limoges but all of Aquitaine. He performed many miracles, among others the raising of a dead man to life, by touching him with a rod that Peter had given him.^[1]

The mythology culminated in the 11th century

In the 13th century compendium of lore, the Golden Legend, the legendary Martial appears with many miracles, casting out fiends and raising the dead and conducting mass baptisms.^[3]

In the midst of a revival of his cult in the 14th century, 73 miracles were recorded between 1378 and 1388 in the Miracula sancti Martialis anno 1388 patrata.

As late as 1854, Mons. Buissas, Bishop of Limoges, petitioned

Martial also became associated with Valerie of Limoges, a legendary martyr of the 3rd or 4th centuries, who is said to have carried her head to him after decapitation.

Veneration

His help was invoked during an epidemic of widespread ergot poisoning in Limoges in 994.^[4] Martial was particularly honored in Bordeaux, where his pastoral staff was kept in the Basilica Saint-Seurin and used in processions to invoke his aid during outbreaks of pestilence.^[5] He is also venerated in Italy, where Colle di Val d'Elsa Cathedral is dedicated to him.

The Cloisters has a 12th-century stained-glass window of "Saint Martial Founding the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre".^[6]

St. Martial's chapel at the papal palace in Avignon was used for deliberations during conclaves.^[7] Saint-Martial Temple, a Gothic church in Avignon, was completed in 1402.^[8]

In Brazilian folklore, it is celebrated with bonfires on the day of its liturgical feast (30 June) which closes the Festas Juninas in Maranhão.^[9]

In São Luís, in 2007, a monument was erected in his honor, given the popularity of his festivities, held in the city since 1928, and which annually gather thousands of people, in the Festejo de São Pedro e São Marçal, with the celebrations of the bumba-meu-boi.^[9]

Gallery

• 
  Cupboard of the Arm, where a medieval reliquary containing the arm of Martial was stored.
• 
  Shrine of St Martial in the church of St Michel des Lions, Limoges, where the relics have been stored since the dissolution of the abbey
• 
  A statue of St Martial at the Ermita de San Marcial de Limoges, Femés, Lanzarote (he is the patron saint of Lanzarote)

Notes

External links

• Media related to Saint Martial at Wikimedia Commons