ST MARY OF JERUSALEM

ST MARY OF JERUSALEM - 29 JUNE

SAINT MARY OF JERUSALEM

Saint Mary, commemorated on June 29, is the pious woman in Jerusalem mentioned in Acts, Chapter 12, which states: "Peter came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose surname was Mark, where many (disciples) were gathered and praying." Thus, during the time of Jewish persecution, her house served as a refuge for Christians. Judging by the account in Acts, it was likely situated in a secluded part of the city, not far from the city walls; for after leaving the main prison, Saint Peter proceeded along only one street before turning aside. Certainly, the Lord's Supper was not held in this house; it was located in the Lower City, not on Mount Zion, where tradition holds the event took place. Furthermore, the Gospel narrative regarding the preparations for the Passover argues strongly against this assumption (Luke 22:8-32). Neither would the Apostles have asked, "Where do You want us to prepare the Passover?" nor would Jesus have replied, "Look, when you enter the city, etc.," had He intended to eat the Passover in the home of this woman - who was well known to both Him and the Apostles. Any discerning reader would surely agree with these and similar objections raised by Papebroche*. One is less inclined to agree with him, however, when he disputes the Roman Martyrology*, which states that she died in Cyprus. While we accept his point that no firm or certain tradition regarding this matter can be established, his argument that she could just as well have died in Alexandria does not seem sound; after all, Mark the Evangelist and John Mark could - and perhaps did - represent two distinct individuals. The fact that her memory is celebrated on June 29, is easily explained by the hospitality she extended to the apostles.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875)

*A hagiography source used by the authors

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Mary may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

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