Saint Martin inspires in St. Veit: celebration with police escort!

Saint Martin inspires in St. Veit: celebration with police escort!

In St. Veit/Glan, the traditional St. Martin's Festival was celebrated on Sunday evening, which has a long tradition in the parish. The celebrations began in the monastery church with an atmospheric devotion celebrated by parish priest Jinu Joseph Mangalath. The children from the St. Veit elementary school then showed an inviting St. Martin's game, which was a complete success under the direction of religion teacher Daniela Polak. Meanwhile, those present enjoyed musical sounds performed by the trumpets of Betty and Leopold Moritz-Quast.

What could be better than the subsequent lantern procession, led by “Saint Martin” on a pony, through the streets of the city? Secured by police forces, the happy participants marched through Oktoberplatz, the main square and Herzog Bernhard-Platz back to the city parish church. The motto of the evening was: Sharing according to the example of Saint Martin promotes joy in life. This motto points to the deeper meaning of the festival, which goes beyond mere celebration.

The roots of St. Martin's Day

St. Martin's Day, celebrated on November 11th, is closely linked to the life of Saint Martin. Born around 316 AD, he was a Roman soldier known for his charity. A famous legend describes how he shared his coat with a freezing beggar. Later, this beggar revealed himself in a dream as Jesus Christ. Martin, who hid among geese to escape his election as Bishop of Tours, is patron of many professional groups, including travelers and the poor. Geese therefore have a special meaning on this festival day, which is traditionally celebrated with sumptuous meals and St. Martin's goose.

The tradition of lantern parades comes from the early Christian candlelight processions. Children have been singing St. Martin's songs during parades since the 14th century. St. Martin's Day is also an important occasion in the cities of Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf and Wuppertal, where numerous lantern parades take place every year. This connection to community and sharing is also evident in the St. Martin's Day parades and customs organized by the various archdioceses, such as in Cologne.

St. Martin's Day parades in other cities

The 103rd St. Martin's Festival was celebrated in Bonn on November 5, 2025, where the participants met at Münsterplatz to parade together. A central St. Martin's Day parade also took place in Düsseldorf on November 10, 2025, starting at 5:00 p.m. The story of Saint Martin was read at the town hall and the first coat sharing took place at 5:30 p.m. This custom has been part of the celebrations in Düsseldorf since 1886. On November 7th, 2025, people in Cologne enjoyed a festive St. Martin's Day procession that led from Cologne Cathedral to the old town, while the people of Wuppertal celebrated their St. Martin's Day procession for the 17th time on November 10th, 2025.

In St. Veit, St. Martin's Day ended in the parish center with children's punch, pretzels and songs. Such events are not only a nice experience for the youngest, but also strengthen the sense of community that lives in the spirit of Saint Martin. Sharing and charity become the guiding principles of the residents of St. Veit and beyond, not just on St. Martin's Day, but throughout the year.