St. Mark the Evangelist

Feast (1969 Calendar): April 25
Double of the II Class (1955 Calendar): April 25

Today is the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, as well as the Greater Litanies (Major Rogation Day).  Of St. Mark, it may be said:

• He is one of the four Gospel authors
• He could have been the unnamed young man present at Jesus' arrest (Mk 14:51-52)
• He was the son of a Christian woman in Jerusalem named Mary
• He had a miraculous escape from prison
• He was the cousin of St. Barnabas
• He had a falling out with St. Paul (later reconciled when he visited St. Paul in prison)
• Mark's gospel was probably written in Rome around 60 AD

St. Mark is the patron saint of evangelists and we can learn so much from his example. We must also be evangelists and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ not only by our words but also by our actions. All of us are sinners and in need of God's mercy, but we all are able to answer our call in life and proclaim the Gospel.

All of us are called to serve Jesus Christ in our vocation. We don't have to go to the third world and proclaim the Gospel. We can simply live prayerfully while keeping God's commandments. By doing this, we can help convert many of those around us to the truth of the Catholic faith.

St. Mark's body is buried under the High Altar at St. Mark's Basilica in the main plaza in Venice, Italy.

St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy

Prayer:

O God, Who didst exalt blessed Mark, Thine Evangelist, by the grace of preaching the Gospel, grant we beseech Thee, that we may ever profit by his teaching and be defended by his prayers. Through our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal