The death and burial of Saint Martin
A series of miracles accompanied Bishop Martin's ministry: healing the sick, raising the dead, delivering the possessed from the devil were proof of his divine election. He worked tirelessly to spread the faith, even in his old age
He was in his eighties, but he still went about the countryside, visiting parishes. Alongside his work he prepared for the great journey, awaiting the approach of his death. He did not die in his beloved monastery in Marmoutier, but during his work in the countryside, in Candes, where he travelled to settle disputes in the parish. Before his return, he felt weak and knew he had to leave his fellow monks. He lay for several days with a high fever in his ash bed. He would not allow a bed of straw to be made for him. He bid farewell to those around him with a beautiful prayer. At the hour of his death, he prayed to God, "Lord, if your people still need me, I will not be reluctant to work." But the Lord called him and called him to Himself on a Sunday, 8 November 397. The news of his death spread like wildfire, causing great condolences throughout Gaul. Within a few days a great crowd had gathered in Candes. His body was claimed by several cities. Both Poitiers and Tours were anxious to lay the bishop to rest. The body was carefully guarded. The Toursians outwitted the guards and removed Martin's remains through the window. He was taken by boat on the Loire River to his capital, Tours.
He was buried in the Christian cemetery outside the city on 11 November. His funeral was attended by nearly 2,000 monks in Tours and a huge crowd came to say farewell to the bishop whom they had taken to their hearts over the decades. His disciple Brictius had a chapel built over his tomb.