Saint Mark

Feast Day: April 25
 

Companion. Writer. Evangelist. Missionary.

Mark was a disciple, but not one of the twelve. He is an exemplary model for how we can spread the Good News with our words, our actions, and the company we keep.

He is the author of the second of the Gospels. Mark first appears in Acts 12 because Peter is freed from prison, shortly after James – who is considered the first apostle to be martyred – is killed at the hands of Roman Empire. He became the traveling companion to Paul and Barnabas – who Paul reveals to be Mark’s cousin – and voyaged to Cyrus but there was a rift between Paul, Barnabas and Mark because they separated. Mark returned to Jerusalem alone but had an incredibly vital role among the apostles. Many believe he wrote his Gospel as a result of his close ties to Peter. A primary source – a man called John the Presbyter – verifies Mark’s engagement and activity in the missions of the apostles, especially Peter. Mark functioned as Peter’s interpreter, keeping a record of Peter’s recollection of Jesus; in addition, Mark was likely present during the Passion and therefore, some scholars believe Mark did have a personal encounter with the apostles during Jesus’ ministry.

His symbol is a winged lion. The lion is an interpretation of the beginning of the Gospel of Mark when he

states, “A voice of one crying out in the desert” (Mark 1:3) to describe John the Baptist. Tradition states that Mark founded the Church of Alexandria circa 49 AD. He is the patron saint of Venice; the large basilica there is believed to contain his remains. St. Mark continues to be a missionary through his Gospel, which is the oldest and shortest of the four.

St. Mark was a witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus through his life, his ministry, and his writing. May we, too, be a witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus through our personal integrity, our actions, and our words.

St. Mark, pray for us.

Question for Reflection:

What skills or talents can you offer for the mission of Christ today?

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Missionary Saints is a service to the Church by the United States Catholic Mission Association (USCMA). The faithful have been baptized and sent on mission.

USCMA forms the next generations of missionaries—lay, religious, ordained.
Journey with us; feed the missionary impulse within you.

Offered with love, faith and hope