St. Martin Day

In many of the countries in which SSNDs serve the feast of St. Martin is celebrated, with special foods especially goose,wine tasting, live music, balls, lantern processions by children, and bonfires. For example, in Germany on the nights before the feast, the children gather at the church carrying the lanterns they made in school. As they process to the public square the carry the lantern, now lit, and sing songs. Once all are in the public square, the St. Martin’s bonfire (a symbol of hope in the light of God) is lit and the St. Martin pretzels are distributed to all those present.

As Europeans immigrated to different parts of the world they brought the feast with them and adapted them to different cultures.