Saint Martina of Rome

St. 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 Emperor Alexander Severus's reign, she was commanded to sacrifice to pagan gods but boldly refused, stating she would worship only the true God. As a result, she endured severe torture, including scourging and having her flesh torn with hooks and nails. Her body was cut with swords, and boiling oil was poured on her, yet where her blood flowed, there was a sweet fragrance and the appearance of milk. 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 VIII, 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 decorated, and the remains of the Saint were placed in it.

St. Martina, pray for us to obtain the grace to confide in the Lord and be courageous in the great contest for heaven.

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed  and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)