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Also known as:
Wonder Worker of Southern Gaul
Profile
Sister of Saints Lazarus and Mary of Bethany. Friend of Jesus, hostess to
him in her house. May have been part of an early mission to France.
Died
c.80
Patronage
butlers, cooks, dietitians, domestic servants, homemakers, hotel-keepers,
housemaids, housewives, innkeepers, laundry workers, maids, man servants,
servants, servers, single laywomen, travelers
Representation
broom; keys; ladle
Martha and Mary were sisters, related not only by blood but also by
religious aspirations. They stayed close to our Lord and both served him
harmoniously when he was among them. Martha welcomed him as travelers are
welcomed. But in her case, the maidservant received her Lord, the creature
her Creator, to serve him bodily food while she was to be fed by the
Spirit.
No one of you should say, "Blessed are they who have deserved to receive
Christ into their homes!" Do not grieve or complain that you were born in
a time when you can no longer see God in the flesh. He did not in fact
take this privilege from you. As he says, "Whatever you have done to the
least of my brothers, you did to me."
- from a sermon by Saint Augustine
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