Replies

Could not find a thread on Saint Mark the Evangelist.

St. Mark

Feastday: April 25

Patron of notaries

The second Gospel was written by St. Mark, who, in the New Testament, is sometimes called John Mark. Both he and his mother, Mary, were highly esteemed in the early Church, and his mother's house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for Christians there.

St. Mark was associated with St. Paul and St. Barnabas (who was Mark's cousin) on their missionary journey through the island of Cyprus. Later he accompanied St. Barnabas alone. We know also that he was in Rome with St. Peter and St. Paul. Tradition ascribes to him the founding of the Church in Alexandria.

St. Mark wrote the second Gospel, probably in Rome sometime before the year 60 A.D.; he wrote it in Greek for the Gentile converts to Christianity. Tradition tells us that St. Mark was requested by the Romans to set down the teachings of St. Peter. This seems to be confirmed by the position which St. Peter has in this Gospel. In this way the second Gospel is a record of the life of Jesus as seen throuhh the eyes of the Prince of the Apostles. His feast day is April 25. He is the patron saint of notaries.

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ
Jesus and for all persons according to their needs.

We praise you, O God, holy Lord of power and might.
Sustain your Church in the confession of faith
proclaimed by the glorious company of apostles,
the noble fellowship of prophets, and the
white-robed army of martyrs. Lord, in your mercy,
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

All creation worships you, eternal God. Teach your
people to sing endless praise to you with all angels
and powers of heaven, and to care for the earth
you have made for our home. Lord, in your mercy,
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

The whole Church acclaims you: Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit. Father of majesty unbounded, empower
those baptized in the triune name to reflect the love
expressed in the life, death, and resurrection of your
true and only Son, who is worthy of all praise.
Lord, in your mercy,
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We sing to you, Holy Spirit, advocate, and guide.
Lead us to seek peace and justice for all people.
Lord, in your mercy,
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

You, Christ, are the king of glory. You overcame the
sting of death. Through us , your servants, come to all
who are hungry or thirsty or naked or sick or in prison.
Lord, in your mercy,
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

You opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
Help those who do not know your grace, bring them
to faith. Lord, in your mercy,
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We believe that you will come and be our judge. Save
us in that time of trial and deliver us from the evil one.
Lord, in your mercy,
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

Come, Lord, and help your people, bought with the
price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting. Lord, in your mercy,
HEAR OUR PRAYER.