29 July - Martha is the sister of Lazarus, and of Mary Magdalene. They lived in Bethany where Martha was the mistress of the house. Of great goodness she distinguished herself for her devotion to the needy and her great hospitality to the Saviour and his disciples.

One day while they were on their way, Jesus entered a village, and a woman named Martha received him into her house. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the feet of the Lord and listened to his word. Martha, however, was eagerly attending to the many cares of the service, and stopping before Jesus, she said to him, "Lord, will it hurt you if my sister lets me serve alone? Tell her therefore that she helps me". The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are becoming anxious and troubled about many things. But only one is necessary. Mary has chosen the best part, which will not be taken away from her".

Informed of the death of his friend Lazarus, Jesus was on his way to Bethany. When Martha heard of Jesus' arrival, she went out to meet him, while Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will grant you". Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again". Martha said, "I know he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day". Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live; whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said, "Yes, Lord, I do. You are the Christ, the Son of God. You are the one who comes into the world."

According to Provençal tradition, after the death of Christ, Martha settled in Provence at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer with Lazarus and Mary of Bethany. There she is said to have defeated the Tarasque at Tarascon, where a royal collegiate church was erected in her honour on the site of her tomb.