Saint Martina, Virgin & Martyr
S. Martinae Virginis et Martyris
Saint Martina was a Roman virgin martyred in the city of Rome during the early persecutions. She has long been honoured as one of the patrons of Rome, her relics resting in the ancient church that bears her name near the Roman Forum.
Saint Martina is an early Roman martyr whose veneration in the city of Rome is ancient and well attested, even though little can be affirmed with historical certainty about the details of her life. According to her traditional account she was a noble Roman virgin who, in the time of the imperial persecutions, refused to offer sacrifice to the gods and confessed her faith in Christ. For this she was put to death, and her name was kept in honour by the Roman Church among its martyrs.
Veneration in Rome
What is certain is the long devotion of the Roman Church to her memory. A church dedicated to Saint Martina has stood near the Forum, at the edge of the Mamertine Prison, since at least the early Middle Ages. In 1634, during the pontificate of Urban VIII, relics venerated as those of Saint Martina were rediscovered there, and the church was rebuilt with great care; it became the church of the Academy of Saint Luke. From that time her feast was kept with renewed solemnity, and she came to be reckoned among the heavenly patrons of the city of Rome.
An Honest Word
As with many of the martyrs of the first centuries, the surviving narratives of Saint Martina’s sufferings were composed long after her death and contain legendary elaborations that cannot be verified. The Church therefore venerates her for what is sure: that she belonged to the noble company of those who gave their lives rather than deny Christ, and that her witness was treasured by the faithful of Rome from early times. Her feast invites us to honour all the hidden martyrs whose names God alone fully knows, and to ask their intercession.
The Collect
O God, who among the other wonders of Thy power hast given the victory of martyrdom even to the weaker sex: mercifully grant that we, who keep the heavenly birthday of blessed Martina, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may by her example come unto 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. Amen.
Deus, qui inter cetera potentiae tuae miracula etiam in sexu fragili victoriam martyrii contulisti: concede propitius; ut, qui beatae Martinae Virginis et Martyris tuae natalitia colimus, per eius ad te exempla gradiamur. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Patronage
She is honoured as one of the patron saints of the city of Rome.
In the Modern Calendar
This feast does not appear in the General Roman Calendar of the modern rite.
Common Questions
When is the feast of Saint Martina?
In the 1962 Roman Missal her feast is kept on 30 January as a Third Class feast. It is not included in the General Calendar of the modern rite.
Who was Saint Martina?
She was an early Roman virgin and martyr, put to death in the city of Rome for her faith in Christ. Although the details of her life cannot be confirmed historically, her veneration in Rome is ancient, and she is counted among the patrons of the city.
Where are her relics kept?
Her relics rest in the Church of Saints Luca and Martina near the Roman Forum, where they were rediscovered in 1634 and where she is venerated to this day.
See where this feast falls in the Church’s year on the liturgical calendar, or find a Traditional Latin Mass near you.
These pages are offered with love for the saints and for all who seek them. If anything here should need correcting, we humbly beg your pardon and ask your help — kindly write to [email protected], and we will mend it as soon as we can.
Receive the coming feasts, Mass times, and reflections from our community — sent with care, never spam.