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Wednesday, Nov. 11 does not only mark the beginning of carnival season, it is also St. Martin’s Day. On Wednesday, Germans will honor the patron of the poor and friend of the children, – St. Martin.
In the evenings before Nov. 11 or the night of Nov. 11, children will walk in processions through Kaiserslautern and villages in the KMC to honor Martin of Tours. They will carry their lanterns, which they will make in kindergarten or school, and sing Martin songs.
Usually, the walk starts at a church and goes to a public square. A man on horseback dressed like a Roman soldier, Saint Martin, will accompany the children. When they reach the square, the Martin’s bonfire will be lit and Martin’s pretzels will be distributed.
Martin was born in the year 316 or 317 as the son of a Roman civil servant. At age 15, he joined the Emperor’s cavalry.
One cold winter day, he was riding through the country when a shivering beggar came his way asking for alms. Since Martin had neither food nor money, he cut his robe in half with his sword and gave a piece to the freezing man.
Supposedly, the next night Jesus appeared in Martin’s dream and explained how he had been the freezing beggar who Martin had given half his robe to.
This event changed Martin’s life. He left the army, got baptized and became a student of Hilarius of Poitiers. In 356, after Martin’s teacher was banned and he failed to convert his father and others to the teachings of Hilarius, he left for an island near Genua, where he lived as a hermit.
In 360, Martin gave up his solitary life to join Hilarius again who returned to Poitiers. In 361, he founded the first Gallic monastery in Liguge. In 371, he was elected bishop by the clergy and the people from Tours.
In 375, he established Marmoutier, a monastery for ascetic life and a school for bishops.
Martin was still trying to evangelize pagans. On Nov. 8, 397, during a pastoral trip to Candes, he died. Thousands of monks, consecrated virgins and others went to his funeral on Nov. 11.
Years later, a basilica with the St. Martin Abbey was built on top of Martin’s grave site. King Chlodwig elected Martin as patron of the Francs.
The tradition of the lanterns goes back to former times, when people lit candles to honor a saint and when lanterns were put up everywhere in town when a bishop came for a visit.
The custom of lighting a bonfire after the lantern procession represents the beginning of festivities. In former times, most of the work on the fields had been completed and now it was time to celebrate, drink and eat. Traditionally, a fat goose and sweet bread were served.
One legend says St. Martin died after eating a whole goose at a single meal. Another legend says Martin was hiding to avoid his election as Bishop of Tours, but chattering geese revealed his hiding place. The tradition of eating a “Martin’s goose” at this time of year has been kept. Many restaurants in the KMC added Martin’s goose with dumplings and red cabbage to their menus. Even on Christmas, Germans like to serve goose.
In Kaiserslautern, the lantern procession of St. Martin’s Church starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. Martinsplatz at the beginning of Steinstrasse and ends in front of the Rathaus, where St. Martin will divide his coat and the bonfire will be lit.
In Ramstein village, festivities will start at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Catholic church. Then the lantern procession with St. Martin on a horse and musicians will go through town. The St. Martin’s play will be presented, the bonfire will be lit and pretzels and Glühwein will be available.
In Landstuhl, the St. Martin’s parade starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday with a play at Heilig-Geist-Kirche and ends at the Altenzentrum (meeting place for senior citizens) with the fire and the sale of Martin’s pretzels, tea and Glühwein.
In Otterbach, children and parents will meet for their parades at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Catholic and Protestant kindergartens.
In the wine village of St. Martin, south of Neustadt, the Martinus wine fest is being celebrated today through Sunday and Wednesday through Nov. 14.
Dahn holds its traditional Martini market with vendors and a little carnival Sunday.
