The story of their life
Martha welcomed Jesus, became overwhelmed by serving, later met him honestly in grief and confessed faith in him as the Messiah and giver of resurrection life.
Saint1st century · Feast July 29
St Martha of Bethany
Also known as Martha, Martha of Bethany, Saint Martha
Disciple of the Lord
Friend of Jesus
A practical friend of Jesus whose hospitality, anxiety, grief and bold faith make her one of the Gospels’ most relatable disciples.
A note on content. This profile is a prototype draft. Devotional traditions, historical facts and uncertain traditions will be clearly identified once entries are reviewed. We do not publish invented quotations.
Historical context
Bethany was a village near Jerusalem where Martha, Mary and Lazarus formed a household of friendship and hospitality for Jesus.
Defining moments
- Welcoming Jesus
- Expressing frustration while burdened by service
- Meeting Jesus while grieving Lazarus
- Confessing faith in the resurrection
Faith and spirituality
Practical service purified by attentive presence, honest prayer and hope during grief.
Why this saint matters today
A strong companion for busy caregivers and workers who love through service but become anxious, resentful or exhausted.
Patronage and intercession
People turn to St Martha of Bethany in matters of:
Cooks
Hospitality workers
Homemakers
Servers
Household workers
A prayer
Lord Jesus, through St Martha’s intercession bless our work, quiet our anxiety and teach us to serve without losing your presence. Amen.
Timeline
Sources and further reading
- https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/07/29/st--martha--disciple-of-the-lord.html
- https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-martha-mary-lazarus-inserted-roman-calendar.html
- https://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Calendar/
Source-quality status: unverified prototype