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.

Message from the Bishops at the end of the Pilgrimage

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, You who have come in such large numbers to take part in this national pilgrimage, as well as all of you who are following it from home through the media. We, the bishops of Madagascar, would like to express our deep gratitude to you for having responded to our invitation and for having brought this jubilee initiated by Pope Francis to life spiritually. With you, we take up Mary's song: ‘My soul exalts the Lord’ and we repeat with her: ‘What shall I repay the Lord for all the good he has done me?’....

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Love and Salvation

Christmas is a great joy, because it is the love of God that has come to us, proclaims Fr. Bizimana Innocent, Provincial Superior of the Salesians Don Bosco of Madagascar and Mauritius, presenting his Christmas greetings. Salvation is accomplished, so life is not in danger of disappearing. It is this love and this salvation that we wish to fill our life so that we have peace.

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Zatti, our brother

The short film "Zatti, our brother" (Argentina, 2020) focuses on one of the most difficult episodes of his life. We are in Viedma, in 1941: at the age of 60, Zatti is forced to leave the hospital he has attended for decades. His faith and strength are tested.

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