St. Martha is the patron saint of cooks, servants, maids, innkeepers, butlers, domestic workers, and travelers. You can seek her intercession by praying St. Martha novena for nine consecutive days if you’re in any of the above-mentioned professions or a traveler.
About St. Martha
St. Martha was born in Bethany, a little town near Jerusalem. She was the sister of Lazarus and Mary, and she was known for being careful and thorough. She was one of the first to believe in Jesus. The Lord was a frequent visitor to her home, especially when He was preaching in Jerusalem.
During her lifetime, St. Martha is reported to have had encounters with Jesus himself. “Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus,” the precise quote reads.
The gospel of John records Martha bringing Jesus into her home, indicating that they had a connection. When Jesus was in Martha’s house, she was completely devoted to Him. One of the reasons Mary is the patron saint of cooks is because she is claimed to have cooked for him.
She is one of the few saints who had intimate contact with Christ because of her hospitality to him during his visits to her home.
According to mythology, following the first Christian persecutions, Saint Martha, Mary, Lazarus, and other disciples left their homeland and travelled to France, eventually settling in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Provence, where they spread the Christian faith.
St. Martha of Bethany was a virgin who lived in the first century AD. Lazarus, her brother, was also a saint. Martha frequently entertained Jesus at her house in Bethany, two miles from Jerusalem, with her sister Mary and brother Lazarus. After Jesus’ death, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, according to mythology, travelled to France.
Martha spread the gospel in Provence, where she is credited with destroying “La Tarasque,” a man-eating dragon with horns and a serpent’s tail. In the Rhone Valley, there was an encounter with a crucifix and holy water.
This is how the tale goes: The dragon was claimed to have arrived from Asia via water. People begged Martha to find someone to help them get rid of this vile beast. People were slaughtered and their boats were sunk by the dragon.
Martha sprayed the dragon with holy water and made the cross over him before tying him up in her girdle. People killed him with spears and stones when he was weak. Roman Catholics in Provence still hold her in high regard.
Facts
Novena Starts: July 20th
Feast Day: July 29
Significance of St. Martha Novena
The Feast of St. Martha is celebrated on July 29th. She is the patron saint of chefs and servants. Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, who was raised from the grave, is barely mentioned in the Bible. The last thing that is mentioned about Martha in the Bible is, “Martha served.”
St. Martha is one of the most significant women in the New Testament and the patron saint of maids and cooks, as seen on the panels above the Basilica’s South Entrance. The Bible’s tales of Martha are a source of inspiration for individuals who want to get closer to Jesus.
Read more: St. Nicholas Novena
St. Martha Novena
Day 1
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Martha,
I resort to thy aid and protection.
As proof of my affection and faith,
I offer thee this light,
which I shall burn every Tuesday.
Comfort me in all my difficulties
and through the great favors thou didst enjoy
when the Savior was lodged in thy house,
intercede for my family,
that we be provided for in our necessities.
I ask of thee, Saint Martha,
to overcome all difficulties
as thou didst overcome the dragon
which thou hadst at thy feet.
In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
<<mention your special request>>
Saint Martha, pray for us.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 2
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Martha,
I resort to thy aid and protection.
As proof of my affection and faith,
I offer thee this light,
which I shall burn every Tuesday.
Comfort me in all my difficulties
and through the great favors thou didst enjoy
when the Savior was lodged in thy house,
intercede for my family,
that we be provided for in our necessities.
I ask of thee, Saint Martha,
to overcome all difficulties
as thou didst overcome the dragon
which thou hadst at thy feet.
In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
<<mention your special request>>
Saint Martha, pray for us.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: St. Matthew Novena
Day 3
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Martha,
I resort to thy aid and protection.
As proof of my affection and faith,
I offer thee this light,
which I shall burn every Tuesday.
Comfort me in all my difficulties
and through the great favors thou didst enjoy
when the Savior was lodged in thy house,
intercede for my family,
that we be provided for in our necessities.
I ask of thee, Saint Martha,
to overcome all difficulties
as thou didst overcome the dragon
which thou hadst at thy feet.
In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
<<mention your special request>>
Saint Martha, pray for us.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 4
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Martha,
I resort to thy aid and protection.
As proof of my affection and faith,
I offer thee this light,
which I shall burn every Tuesday.
Comfort me in all my difficulties
and through the great favors thou didst enjoy
when the Savior was lodged in thy house,
intercede for my family,
that we be provided for in our necessities.
I ask of thee, Saint Martha,
to overcome all difficulties
as thou didst overcome the dragon
which thou hadst at thy feet.
In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
<<mention your special request>>
Saint Martha, pray for us.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 5
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Martha,
I resort to thy aid and protection.
As proof of my affection and faith,
I offer thee this light,
which I shall burn every Tuesday.
Comfort me in all my difficulties
and through the great favors thou didst enjoy
when the Savior was lodged in thy house,
intercede for my family,
that we be provided for in our necessities.
I ask of thee, Saint Martha,
to overcome all difficulties
as thou didst overcome the dragon
which thou hadst at thy feet.
In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
<<mention your special request>>
Saint Martha, pray for us.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: Footprints In The Sand Poem & it’s meaning
Day 6
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Martha,
I resort to thy aid and protection.
As proof of my affection and faith,
I offer thee this light,
which I shall burn every Tuesday.
Comfort me in all my difficulties
and through the great favors thou didst enjoy
when the Savior was lodged in thy house,
intercede for my family,
that we be provided for in our necessities.
I ask of thee, Saint Martha,
to overcome all difficulties
as thou didst overcome the dragon
which thou hadst at thy feet.
In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
<<mention your special request>>
Saint Martha, pray for us.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 7
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Martha,
I resort to thy aid and protection.
As proof of my affection and faith,
I offer thee this light,
which I shall burn every Tuesday.
Comfort me in all my difficulties
and through the great favors thou didst enjoy
when the Savior was lodged in thy house,
intercede for my family,
that we be provided for in our necessities.
I ask of thee, Saint Martha,
to overcome all difficulties
as thou didst overcome the dragon
which thou hadst at thy feet.
In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
<<mention your special request>>
Saint Martha, pray for us.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 8
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Martha,
I resort to thy aid and protection.
As proof of my affection and faith,
I offer thee this light,
which I shall burn every Tuesday.
Comfort me in all my difficulties
and through the great favors thou didst enjoy
when the Savior was lodged in thy house,
intercede for my family,
that we be provided for in our necessities.
I ask of thee, Saint Martha,
to overcome all difficulties
as thou didst overcome the dragon
which thou hadst at thy feet.
In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
<<mention your special request>>
Saint Martha, pray for us.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 9
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Martha,
I resort to thy aid and protection.
As proof of my affection and faith,
I offer thee this light,
which I shall burn every Tuesday.
Comfort me in all my difficulties
and through the great favors thou didst enjoy
when the Savior was lodged in thy house,
intercede for my family,
that we be provided for in our necessities.
I ask of thee, Saint Martha,
to overcome all difficulties
as thou didst overcome the dragon
which thou hadst at thy feet.
In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
<<mention your special request>>
Saint Martha, pray for us.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: St. Andrew Novena
