Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus: July 29 Memorial Celebrated Worldwide
The Catholic Church’s General Roman Calendar now designates July 29 as the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus of Bethany. Pope Francis approved the change in 2021, merging the former individual feast of Saint Martha with the siblings to honor their shared witness to Christ. The three are remembered for complementary roles: Martha’s active service, Mary’s contemplative listening, and Lazarus’s resurrection, which together illustrate faith, hospitality and the promise of eternal life. Liturgical celebrations on this day include readings from Luke 10:38‑42 and John 11, homilies that urge believers to balance service with contemplation, and prayers invoking the saints, who are patrons of housewives, servants and the sick. Churches in Italy, France, Poland, Brazil, the United Kingdom and elsewhere hold special masses, reflections and devotional materials to mark the occasion.
Entities: Bethany · Jesus Christ · Lazarus · Martha of Bethany · Mary of Bethany · Padre Paulo Ricardo · Saint Lazarus of Bethany · Saint Martha of Bethany · Saint Mary of Bethany
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The homily describes Mary as contemplative, Martha as active, and Lazarus as resurrected by Christ. (eaa7cba7-939f-4daa-9807-7db6634c5bbb)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead after four days. (ccf1f56f-3336-4a01-9fca-e31d0d5b0acf)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Spanish catechesis presents the family of Bethany as a model for Christian families. (ecc1ec6b-e6a4-4a65-b87b-ce2031aa30ac)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Jesus told Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.” (ccf1f56f-3336-4a01-9fca-e31d0d5b0acf)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] After Lazarus’ resurrection many Jews believed in Jesus. (ccf1f56f-3336-4a01-9fca-e31d0d5b0acf)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The daily homily on 29 July honored saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus as friends and disciples of Christ. (eaa7cba7-939f-4daa-9807-7db6634c5bbb)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Saint Martha's feast day is July 29.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Saint Martha is mentioned in Luke 10:38‑42, John 11:1‑53 and John 12:1‑9.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Martha responded to Jesus, “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ.”
- [● 2 SOURCES] Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me will live.”
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Saint Martha is the patron saint of housewives, servants, waiters and cooks.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has about seven hundred priests.