Saint Martina of Rome, a noble virgin, was the daughter of a Christian Roman Consul. She lost her parents while she was very young. Being exceedingly fervent in the practice of Christianity, for the love of Christ, Martina distributed all her immense riches to the poor. During the reign of emperor Alexander Severus, she was ordered to offer sacrifices to the pagan gods. But courageously refused to do so and replied that she would sacrifice to none other than the true God. Whereupon she was several times scourged, and her flesh was torn with iron hooks and nails. Martina's whole body was cut with the sharpest swords, and she was scalded with boiling oil. But milk flowed from her wounds together with the blood, and the bystanders perceived a sweet fragrance.
Martina's prayers were powerful in the presence of God. One day, she was taken to the temple of Diana; fire from heaven fell amid loud thunder and burnt the idol, which tumbled and crushed many of its priests and pagan worshipers. Then, Martina was condemned to be devoured by the enraged lion in the amphitheater, and miraculously, she was left untouched by it. She was also thrown on a burning pile, but by divine power, she likewise escaped unhurt.
Sometimes, she was witnessed as lifted up and placed on a beautiful throne, surrounded by heavenly spirits singing divine praises. Some of the men who had inflicted these tortures upon her, being struck by the miracle and touched by the grace of God, embraced the Christian faith. After all these sufferings and tortures, she gained the glorious palm of martyrdom by being beheaded. Under the Pontificate of Urban the Eighth, Martina's body was discovered in an ancient Church, together with other holy martyrs, at the foot of the Capitoline hill. The Church was restored, and the remains of the Saint were placed there.
Saint Martina, pray for us to obtain the grace to remain faithful to Christ, even unto death.
Prepared and updated by:
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.
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