Martina, a noble virgin of Rome, was the daughter of a consul. Having lost her parents while a child, and being exceedingly fervent in the practice of the Christian religion, she was singularly charitable to the poor and distributed among them her immense riches. During the reign of Alexander Severus she was ordered to worship the false gods, but most courageously refused to commit so detestable a crime. She was several times scourged. Her flesh was torn with iron hooks and nails and potsherds, and her whole body was cut with most sharp swords. She was scalded with boiling oil, and was, at length, condemned to be devoured by wild beasts in the amphitheatre. But being miraculously left untouched by them, she was thrown on a burning pile from which she also escaped unhurt by the same divine power. Some of the men that had inflicted these tortures on her, being struck by the miracle and touched by the grace of God, embraced the Christian faith and, after suffering many tortures, gained the glorious palm of martyrdom by being beheaded. The prayers of Martina were powerful with God. Earthquakes shook the city, fire fell from the heavens in the midst of loud thunder, the temples and idols of the gods were overthrown and destroyed. More than once, milk flowed from her wounds together with the blood, and a most sweet fragrance was perceived by the bystanders. Sometimes she was seen raised up and placed on a beautiful throne, and singing the divine praises surrounded by heavenly spirits. Vexed above measure by these prodigies and, above all, by her constancy, the judge ordered her to be beheaded. Which being done, a voice from Heaven was heard calling Martina to ascend. The whole city trembled, and many of the idolaters were converted to the faith of Christ.
Martina suffered under the Pontificate of Urban I and under that of Urban VIII her body was discovered in an ancient Church, together with those of the holy Martyrs Concordius, Epiphanius and companions, near the Mamertine prison at the foot of the Capitoline Hill. The Church was restored and decorated, and the body of the Saint was again placed in it, with much solemnity, in the presence of a great concourse of people, and amidst shouts of joy from the whole city.
Dom Prosper Gueranger:
A third Roman Virgin, wearing on her brow a Martyr’s crown, comes today to share the honours given to Agnes and Emerentiana, and offer her palm to the Lamb. Her name is Martina, which the pagans were wont to give to their daughters in honour of their god of war. Her sacred relics repose at the foot of the Capitoline Hill in the ancient temple of Mars which has now become the beautiful Church of Saint Martina. The holy ambition to render herself worthy of Him whom she had chosen as her divine Spouse gave her courage to suffer torments and death for His sake, so that of her, as of the rest of the Martyrs, we may say those words of the Liturgy, she washed her robes in the Blood of the Lamb. Our Emmanuel is the Mighty God (Isaias ix. 6), the Lord that is mighty in war (Psalm xxiii. 8), not, like the Mars of the pagans needing the sword to win his battles. He vanquishes His enemies by meekness, patience and innocence, as in the martyrdom of today’s Saint whose victory was grander than was ever won by Rome’s boasted warriors.
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Thus does Christian Rome hymn your praises, O generous Martyr! And while praising, begs you to protect her with your loving care. She is safe from danger if shielded by such watchfulness as yours. Hear her prayers, and drive far from the Holy City the enemies that would plot her ruin. She has foes more to be dreaded than they that attack her walls with the cannon of their fierce artillery — she has them who plot the destruction of her independence. Disconcert these plans of perfidy, and remember, Martina, that the city which now asks your aid was the Mother that trained you to be a Martyr.
Obtain for us from Jesus, your Spouse, the courage to destroy those idols of our affections to which we are so prone to offer the sacrifice of our hearts. The enemies of our salvation are untiring in their attacks upon our frailty — Oh stretch out to us your helping hand, that hand which made the idols of Rome tremble, is not less powerful now to stay the violence of the world that threatens to destroy our souls. Your own brave combats have given you a place of honour near our Redeemer’s crib: if, like you, we will but resist and conquer, this Mighty God will welcome us, too, and bless us. He came into this world that He might vanquish our enemies, but He requires of us to share with him the toils of the battle. Pray for us, O Martina, that our confidence in our God may ever be accompanied by diffidence in ourselves, and we will never be cowards in the great contest for Heaven!Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
At Antioch, the passion of the blessed priest Hippolytus, who, for a short time deceived by the Novatian schismatics, was converted by the grace of Christ and returned to the unity of the Church for which and in which he afterwards underwent a glorious martyrdom. Being asked by the schismatics which was the better side, he repudiated the doctrine of Novatus and affirming that the faith ought to be professed which the Chair of Peter taught, he presented his neck to the executioners.
In Africa, the passion of the holy martyrs Felician, Philappian and one hundred and twenty-four others.
At Edessa in Syria, in the reign of Trajan, St. Barsimaeus, bishop, who converted many Gentiles to the faith, sent them before him to be crowned, and followed them with the palm of martyrdom.
In the same place, St. Barsen, bishop, renowned for the gift of curing diseases. For the Catholic faith he was banished by the Arian emperor Valens into the remotest parts of that country and there ended his days.
Also blessed Alexander, a man of venerable aspect and advanced age, who was apprehended in the persecution of Decius and after gloriously and repeatedly confessing the faith, gave up his soul to God in the midst of torments.
At Jerusalem, the birthday of St. Matthias, bishop, of whom are related wonders and actions inspired by faith. After having endured many trials for Christ under Hadrian, he passed away in peace.
At Rome, Pope St. Felix, who laboured much for the Catholic faith.
At Pavia, St. Armentarius, bishop and confessor.
In the monastery of Maubeuge in Hainaut, St. Aldegundis, a virgin, who lived in the time of king Dagobert.
At Milan, St. Savina, a most religious woman, who went to rest in the Lord while praying at the tomb of the holy martyrs Nabor and Felix.
At Viterbo, the holy virgin Hyacintha de Mariscotti, a nun of the Third Order of St. Francis, distinguished for the virtues of penance and charity. She was inscribed among the blessed by Pope Benedict XIII, and among the saints by Pope Pius VII.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
