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| Santa Martina, ora pro nobis |
Deus, qui inter cétera poténtiæ tuæ mirácula, étiam in sexu frágili victóriam martýrii con- tulísti: concéde propítius, ut, qui beátæ Mártinæ Vírginis et Mártyris tuæ natalítia cólimus, per ejus ad te exempla gradiá- mur. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
January 30th is the Feast of St. Martina of Rome, Virgin and Martyr. According to tradition, St. Martina was arrested and dragged before Emperor Alexander Severus for refusing to make a sacrifice to the gods. Brutally tortured, milk and blood gushed from her wounds. She was condemned to die by ravenous beasts, but was left unscathed by the unusually docile animals. Then thrown onto a burning pyre, she miraculously emerged from the flames unharmed. Finally, she was beheaded. At her death, fire and thunder rained down from the heavens and an earthquake violently shook the city, toppling pagan statues and temples. Santa Martina is the patron saint of nursing mothers.
In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Martina in Latin and English. The accompanying photo comes courtesy of Father Eugene Carrella. The polychrome wood sculpture is part of Father Carrella’s impressive collection of religious statuary and relics. Evviva Santa Martina!
Prayer
O God, who among the other marvels of Thy power, hast granted even to the weaker sex the victory of martyrdom: mercifully grant, that we who celebrate the heavenly birthday of blessed Martina, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may by her example draw nearer to Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
