Born at
León, Martin, along with his father Juan, withdrew from the world to the
canonry of after the death of his mother. Martin was educated at this canonry, and after the death of his father, Martin decided to undertake a major
pilgrimage, visiting the cities of
Rome and
Constantinople. Martin continued his education at the
University of Paris under
Peter Lombard. Returning to Spain, he took the religious habit at San Marcelo, but after seeing this monastery had been
secularized by the bishops he entered the
collegiate church of
San Isidoro in the same city. Martin was in Italy during the pontificate of
Urban III (1185–1187). From there he travelled to the
Holy Land with the
Third Crusade. He remained in the Holy Land two years in the service of the
Hospitallers. Martin distinguished himself by his zealous observance, his charity, and his deep devotion to the
Blessed Sacrament. The date of his death is given to us by the
necrology preserved in San Isidoro. He died on 12 January 1203 of natural causes. The religious of San Isidoro dedicated a
chapel to Martin very early and celebrated his
feast each year.
Lucas of Tuy, another monk of San Isidoro, wrote a biography of Martin,
Vita sancti Martini. == Works ==