Martin Raises a Catechumen to Life

Since Hilary had already gone on, Martin followed in his footsteps. Hilary welcomed him with the greatest joy, and Martin set up a monastery for himself not far from the town. At this time a certain catechumen joined him, wishing to be trained in the teaching and way of life of this most holy man. But after only a few days the catechumen was taken with weakness and began to suffer from a violent fever. As it happened, Martin was away from home at the time. He stayed away three days, and on his return he found that the catechumen’s life had gone. Death had come so suddenly that he had left this world without receiving baptism. [a]

The body had been laid out in public, and the grieving brothers were paying it the last sad honors, when Martin hurried up to them weeping and lamenting. Then, laying hold, as it were, of the Holy Spirit with all the powers of his mind, he ordered the others out of the cell where the body lay. Bolting the door, he stretched himself full length on the dead limbs of the departed brother. He gave himself for some time to earnest prayer, and when he perceived through the Spirit of God that power was present, he rose up for a little while. Gazing at the dead man’s face, he waited without misgiving for the result of his prayer and of the Lord’s mercy. Scarcely two hours had passed when he saw the dead man begin to stir a little in all his limbs, and to tremble as his eyes opened to see. Then, turning to the Lord with a loud voice and giving thanks, he filled the cell with his cries. Hearing the noise, those who had been standing at the door at once rushed inside. And truly an amazing sight met them, for they saw alive the man they had left dead.

So he was restored to life, and having been baptized at once, he lived for many years afterward. He was the first who presented himself to us both as one who had experienced Martin’s mighty works and as a witness to them. This same man used to tell how, when he left the body, he was brought before the judgment seat of the Judge, and being assigned to gloomy regions among the common crowds, he received a severe sentence. Then, he added, two angels of the Judge pointed out that he was the man for whom Martin was praying. For this reason he was ordered to be led back by the same angels, handed over to Martin, and restored to his former life. From this time on, the holy man’s name became famous, so that, being counted holy by all, he was also thought to be powerful and truly like an apostle.