Saint Martin of Tours was a soldier in the roman army. One winter, he was riding on his horse and saw a beggar freezing on the side of the street. Martin took off his coat and divided it with his sword into two pieces to share with the poor man. In that night, so the legend goes, a man appeared in Martin’s dream and Martin recognized him as Jesus—wearing the other half of the coat he gave to to the beggar. Martin felt compelled to quit the army, get baptized, and later became a bishop. After his death, he was declared holy by the Pope and was canonized the patron saint of the poor and the soldiers.

Even though St. Martin died on the 8^th of November 397, the Germans and some other European countries celebrate St. Martin’s Day every year on November 11t^th, the date of his funeral. After sunset, children walk with a stick that holds their homemade, candle-lit lanterns on a stick through the streets following a man dressed as St. Martin on the horse. The walk usually ends at a bonfire, where the depiction of St. Martin cutting and sharing his coat comes alive.

The Martin’s Goose is another St. Martin’s Day tradition. It’s also known as the Martinsgansessen St. Martin’s Feast. Butchered the night before St. Martin’s Day, the goose is usually stuffed with apples, prunes, bread; and seasoned with herbs and spices. Depending on the region, bakeries offer edible Martin Men with little pipes in their mouths. They are a treat made from yeast dough.

In the links below, I’ll show you how to roast a Martin’s Goose, how to bake the Martin Men, and how to make the paper lanterns. I’ve always enjoyed celebrated St. Martin’s Day when my children were young. It’s another great memory worth keeping alive—and sharing.

Yours, Oma

(Scroll down for recipes and lantern instructions. Click titled links.)

Martin’s Goose - Martinsgans

Martin’s Men - Weckmänner, Stutenkerle

Lanterns - Laterne