Fr Ben Garren

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Mars, the Roman God of War, was the one the empire prayed to in hopes of an ongoing series of triumphal conquests, expanding borders, and the peace that comes from a subjugated populace. For the Roman Empire its expansion had come, time and again, from taking up arms, praying to Mars, and going to war. This was the expected way for one to expand one’s influence—by hostile takeover.

Martina was the daughter of a Roman Consul and named after the deity of war, the deity of empire’s advance. She was, from the start, a stalwart Christian and her outspokenness grew upon becoming an orphan. Directly known by the Emperor she was put to the test and told that her citizenship and safety required she begin to participate in the worship of her people and that she do as good romans do. She refused. The emperor sentenced her to torture and martyrdom. The story of her sainthood is that as she died the very citizens tasked with her execution converted to Christianity on account of her witness.

Martina then became one of the patron saints of Rome. In the midst of her story, that of an orphaned young Christian woman, she became a counter to the story of Mars. Where Mars brings war and expansion through the death of others… Martina brings life and growth of the church through her sacrifice.

As we look to grow the church, to grow our community, to go about any part of our lives it will be good to ask if we are asking for Martina to be our patron or if we are making the mistake and looking again to Mars.

Pax,

— Ben