Saint Martha
Stored in Cargo: Saint Martha
| Saint Martha | |
| Feast Day | July 29 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Cooks, housewives, servants |
| Birthplace | Bethany, Judea, Roman Empire |
| Death Place | Tarascon, Gaul |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Collegiate Church of Saint Martha, Tarascon, France |
Saint Martha (1st century AD) was a disciple of Jesus, sister of Mary and Lazarus, known for her hospitality and faith. Born in Bethany, Judea, she hosted Jesus and professed his divinity. Canonized pre-Congregation, she is venerated for her service.[1]
Martha is the patron saint of cooks, housewives, and servants, with her feast day on 29 July. Honored in Catholic, Orthodox Christianity, and Anglican Communion, her relics at the Collegiate Church of Saint Martha, Tarascon, draw pilgrims. Her devotion inspires hospitality.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Martha was born in the 1st century AD in Bethany, Judea, Roman Empire, likely to a Jewish family.[1] Bethany’s proximity to Jerusalem shaped her faith. No records detail her parents or exact birthdate.
Her family’s wealth supported Jesus’s ministry.[3]
Early Life
Martha, with siblings Mary and Lazarus, welcomed Jesus into their home around 30 AD, as recorded in the Gospels.[4] She served Jesus diligently, balancing hospitality with faith, notably affirming his divinity during Lazarus’s resurrection. Tradition claims she evangelized in Tarascon, Gaul, after Jesus’s death.
Her service shaped early Christian community.[5]
Occupation
Martha was a disciple and hostess.[1] Managing her household in Bethany, she provided for Jesus and his followers. Her “occupation” was service, supporting the early Church through hospitality.
Her faith inspired Gospel accounts.[6]
Vocation
Martha’s religious vocation began as Jesus’s disciple around 30 AD.[1] Her hospitality and confession of faith during Lazarus’s resurrection defined her calling. In Tarascon, she reportedly converted locals, taming a dragon in legend.
Her legacy influenced French devotion.[7]
Death
Martha died in the 1st century AD, likely 80 AD, in Tarascon, Gaul, from natural causes, aged about 60.[1] She passed surrounded by converts. Her death was mourned locally.
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Bethany, Judea, Roman Empire
Death location: Tarascon, Gaul
Notable location:
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
Martha’s sainthood was recognized early, predating formal processes.[3] No Servant of God phase existed; her Gospel role affirmed sanctity. Early Church writings documented her service.
Venerable
Martha was not declared Venerable, a later practice.[2] Her discipleship affirmed virtue. Church Fathers ensured her status.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[5]
Beatification
Martha did not undergo beatification, formalized post-12th century.[1] Her veneration bypassed such stages. Churches honored her with a feast day by the 4th century.
This aligns with early saints.[3]
Canonization
Martha was canonized pre-Congregation, with no specific date.[1] Her feast day of 29 July was set by the 4th century. No miracles were required; her service sufficed.
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was required, as Martha was not beatified.[1] Her sainthood rested on Gospel accounts. No specific miracles were recorded.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[3]
Miracle for canonization
No miracle was required for Martha’s canonization.[1] Her discipleship sufficed. Posthumous miracles were not documented.
This was standard for early saints.[5]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
Saint Martha is the patron saint of cooks, housewives, and servants.[2] Her patronage supports hospitality.[9]
Feast day
Martha’s feast day is 29 July, celebrated with Masses in Tarascon, Orthodox Christianity, and Anglican Communion.[1] Pilgrimages to her church mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Martha is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to the Collegiate Church of Saint Martha.[2] Housewives seek her intercession. Her relics are displayed on her feast day.
Depicted with keys, her service, noted in X posts, inspires devotion.[8][10]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No surviving works; legacy in Gospels.[3]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Martha". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-martha/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "St. Martha". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=79. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Thurston, Herbert. "St. Martha". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09746b.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Martha". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Martha. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Leonard Foley. "Saint Martha". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-martha/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Martha". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-martha-594. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Fr. Paul Lefevre. "Collegiate Church of Saint Martha". Diocese of Aix. https://www.tarasconchurch.fr/history. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "St. Martha". Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2019/documents/papa-francesco_angelus_20190729.html. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Martha". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-martha. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Martha, Disciple of Jesus". CatholicSaints via X. 29 July 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/martha2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.