Marcella of Marseille explained

Honorific Prefix:Saint
Marcella
Feast Day:31 January
Venerated In:Roman Catholic Church
Birth Place:probably on Bethany, Roman Empire
Death Place:Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, Roman Empire
Titles:Disciple of Jesus
Canonized Date:Pre-Congregation
Major Shrine:Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume

Marcella, according to Catholic tradition, was a disciple of Jesus and a servant of the brothers of Bethany. She is known for being the companion of Saint Martha during the Christianization of the current French region of Provence.[1]

According to the Golden Legend, Marcella would have been a Christian servant of the siblings Martha, Mary, and Lazarus of Bethany, together with Sarah and Maximinus, also Christians.[2] [3] In the work "The Gospel as It Was Revealed to Me" by Maria Valtorta, Marcella was responsible for announcing the agony of Lazarus and witnessing the resurrection of Jesus together with other women.[4]

When the persecution of Christians in the Holy Land began around the year 44, Marcella, Sara, Maximinus and the brothers of Bethany were thrown into the Mediterranean Sea in a boat without oars that arrived in what is now the French commune of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.[5] [6] Along with them, other Christians: Mary Magdalene, Mary of Clopas and Mary Salome. Some versions also include Susanna, Joseph of Arimathea and Sidonius in the group.[7]

In French territory, the group was welcomed by herders from the region, however they decided to separate to propagate the deeds of Jesus in different places.[8] Marcella accompanied Marthe during her preaching in the ancient Roman province of Viennensis, near the city of Marseille, and later in Avignon, allowing herself to be guided above all by prayers during the evangelization of those people.[9] [10]

Her relics rest with Maximinus, Sidonius and Susanna in the Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene, in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume.[11] [12] Her memory is celebrated annually on January 31 by the Provençals.[13]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: La christianisation de la Provence . Fédération Française des Audioguides Historiques . 12 April 2024 . fr .
  2. Web site: Santoral hoy: 23 de agosto: San Cedon de Aix, obispo . Religión en Libertad . 23 August 2023 . 12 April 2024 . es .
  3. Web site: San Maximino de Aix . Pregunta Santoral . 12 January 2011 . 12 April 2024 . es .
  4. Web site: Marcelle - La servante de Marthe de Béthanie . Valtorta . Maria . 12 January 2010 . 12 April 2024 . fr .
  5. Web site: Les Saints de Provence. Mythe ou réalité? . Barte . Dominique . 25 May 2021 . 12 April 2024 . fr .
  6. Web site: Vézelay - Colline éternelle . Association Guillaume Budé — Orléans . 12 April 2024 . fr .
  7. Web site: The Relics of Saint Marie-Magdalene at La Sainte Baume . EWTN . 12 April 2024 . en .
  8. Web site: La barque de saintes Maries . Bible Archeologie Free . 12 April 2024 . fr .
  9. Web site: Les Premiers Apôtres de la Provence . Gallican . 12 April 2024 . fr .
  10. Web site: Paraître vrai et se vouloir vrai: La Vie de sainte Marthe de Tarascon et la notion de vérité historique au Moyen Âge . Olivier . Véronique . OpenEdition Journals . 12 April 2024 . fr .
  11. Web site: Den hellige Maximin av Aix (d. 46?) . Den katolske kirke . 8 June 2023 . 12 April 2024 . no .
  12. Web site: L'Evangélisation de la Provence . Spiritualite Chretienne . 12 April 2024 . fr .
  13. Web site: Janvier en Provence . Provence7 . 12 April 2024 . fr .