Feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus

(1st c.)

St. Martha was a pious Jewish woman from Bethany near Jerusalem. She was a close friend of Jesus during his earthly ministry, as was her brother, St. Lazarus, and her sister, St. Mary of Bethany (St. Mary Magdalene – separate feast day on July 22nd).* The Gospels tell us that “Jesus loved Martha, and her sister Mary and Lazarus.” Martha would serve the Lord faithfully when he was a guest in her home, once busying herself so much with her work that she neglected to spend time enjoying his presence, for which she earned a gentle rebuke from Our Lord. Martha had great faith in Christ, especially evidenced in her belief that he could raise her brother Lazarus from the dead. In the Gospels we read that St. Martha testified that Jesus was the Son of God even before his Passion and Resurrection. According to tradition, after the Ascension of Jesus into heaven, St. Martha gathered a group of women together to live, pray, and do penance in common, one of the early Christian houses of consecrated women. St. Martha is the patron of servers, maids, butlers, servants, single laywomen, homemakers, housewives, and cooks. Together, these siblings share a feast day on July 29th.

*The Morning Offering recognizes that there are varying views on the identity of St. Mary of Bethany and St. Mary Magdalene. You can read articles from the Vatican concerning this topic here: Decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship on the celebration of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus, in the General Roman Calendar. Mary Magdalene, Apostle of the Apostles.

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Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.”

Gospel of John 11:1

Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus, close friends of jesus, pray for us.

Be not afraid!  And may the peace of Christ be with you and your loved ones today and always.  Holy Family pray for us.  Amen.