Saint
Saint Mary of Bethany
- Country / origin
- Bethany (Judaea)
- Life
- 1st century
- Feast
- 29 July
Awaiting theological review
Who was this?
Sister of Martha and Lazarus. She sat at Jesus' feet listening to him, and Jesus said she had chosen the better part. Six days before the Passover she anointed his feet with costly perfume. Since 2021 the Church celebrates her with Martha and Lazarus.
In Scripture: Luke 10:38–42John 12:1–8
Biblical profile: Mary of Bethany →Patron of
- contemplatives
- people who pray
When to ask for intercession
- to make time to listen to Jesus
- silent prayer
- love without measure
A short prayer
Saint Mary of Bethany, intercede for me, that I may sit at Jesus' feet and listen to him.
Written for cento53 as a simple personal prayer of intercession — not a liturgical text.
What we know — and how
Historians debate
For centuries the Western tradition identified her with Mary Magdalene and with the sinful woman of Luke 7; the Church's calendar now treats them as different women.
The next question