Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

In the quiet village of Bethany, three siblings—Martha, Mary, and Lazarus—welcomed Jesus not just into their home, but into their hearts as well. Their friendship with Christ teaches us the beauty of service, the grace of listening, and the hope of resurrection. On their feast day, may we learn from Martha’s dedication, Mary’s devotion, and Lazarus’s witness to new life, and open our hearts to welcome Jesus as they did.

Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, pray for us.

CONGREGATIO DE CULTU DIVINO ET DISCIPLINA SACRAMENTORUM

 Prot. N. 35/21

DECREE on the Celebration of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus in the General Roman Calendar

 

In the household of Bethany the Lord Jesus experienced the family spirit and friendship of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and for this reason the Gospel of John states that he loved them. Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the One who humiliated death.

The traditional uncertainty of the Latin Church about the identity of Mary - the Magdalene to whom Christ appeared after his resurrection, the sister of Martha, the sinner whose sins the Lord had forgiven - which resulted in the inclusion of Martha alone on 29 July in the Roman Calendar, has been resolved in recent studies and times, as attested by the current Roman Martyrology, which also commemorates Mary and Lazarus on that day. Moreover, in some particular calendars the three siblings are already celebrated together.

Therefore, the Supreme Pontiff Pope FRANCIS, considering the important evangelical witness they offered in welcoming the Lord Jesus into their home, in listening to him attentively, in believing that he is the resurrection and the life, and accepting the proposal of this Dicastery, has decreed that 29 July be designated in the General Roman Calendar as the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus.

The Memorial must therefore appear under this title in all Calendars and Liturgical Books for the celebration of Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours; the variations and additions to be adopted in the liturgical texts, attached to the present decree, must be translated, approved and, after confirmation by this Dicastery, published by the Episcopal Conferences.

Anything to the contrary notwithstanding.

From the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 26 January 2021, Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops.

Robert Card. Sarah Prefect.

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Most High Servant,

Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love

(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)