St Michael the Archangel is an important figure in the Christian faith. His name means “Who is like God?” and reminds Christians that God is powerful and worthy of trust.
Christians believe that St Michael is a leader of the angels. In the Bible, he is described as protecting God’s people and standing up against evil. In the Book of Revelation, he leads the angels in a battle against the dragon (a symbol of evil) and wins.
St Michael is often shown in art wearing armour and holding a sword or spear. This represents courage, strength and standing up for what is right.
Many schools, churches and communities choose St Michael as their patron saint because he represents:
Courage
Protection
Faith
Doing what is right
His feast day is celebrated on 29 September, also known as Michaelmas.
St Martin of Tours is a well-known Christian saint who is remembered for his kindness, generosity and care for others.
St Martin was born in the 4th century and served as a soldier in the Roman army. One cold day, he met a poor man who had no warm clothes. Martin cut his cloak in half and shared it with him. That night, he had a dream in which Jesus thanked him for his kindness. This moment inspired Martin to dedicate his life to helping others and serving God.
Later, St Martin became the Bishop of Tours in France. He was known for living simply, caring for the poor and teaching people to treat one another with love and respect.
St Martin is often shown in art as a soldier on horseback, sharing his cloak with someone in need. This reminds us of the importance of generosity and compassion.
St Martin is a role model because he shows us the importance of:
Kindness
Sharing with others
Helping those in need
Living simply and fairly
His feast day is celebrated on 11 November, known as Martinmas.