Born in Pannonia (Hungary) c. 515; died at Braga, Spain, 580. While
Martin's origin and early history are uncertain, he was known as a
zealous missionary, who evangelized Spain. Around 550, Saint Martin
introduced communal monasticism to Galicia (northwestern part of the
Iberian peninsula) which he may have learned as a monk in Palestine.
His principal foundation was the abbey of "Dumium" (Mondonedo) of which
he became bishop before his appointment to the see of Braga. He also
travelled widely to evangelize the pagans and Arian Suevians (converting
their king). Fortunatus compared
the bishop of Braga, who was a writer of some importance, with his
patron,
Saint Martin of Tours (f.d. November 11).
His extant works
include a sermon which gives interesting particulars about the rural
superstitions he encountered
(
Attwater,
Attwater2,
Benedictines,
Encyclopaedia).