Various Miracles of Martin

Meanwhile, a sudden rumor had alarmed the city about the movements of the barbarians and an invasion they were making. Martin had a possessed man set before him and ordered him to declare whether this report was true or not. The man then confessed that sixteen demons had spread the rumor among the people, so that the fear it stirred up might force Martin to flee from the city; in fact, nothing was further from the barbarians’ minds than an invasion. When the unclean spirit had admitted these things in the middle of the church, the city was freed from the fear and turmoil it had been feeling at the time.

At Paris, again, as Martin was entering the city gate with large crowds following him, he kissed a leper of wretched appearance, while everyone shuddered to see him do it. Martin blessed him, and at once he was cleansed of all his misery. The next day the man appeared in the church with healthy skin and gave thanks for the soundness of body he had regained. Nor should this fact be passed over in silence: threads from Martin’s garment, or threads plucked from the sackcloth he wore, often worked miracles on the sick. Tied around the fingers or hung about the neck, they very often drove diseases away from the afflicted.