The cycle makes us honour to-day a virgin who, by her constancy in the midst of the most atrocious torments, bore witness before all (Introit) to the divinity of Christ her spouse (Gospel). "I am a Christian," she declares to her executioners, and I confess Jesus Christ."The Epistle puts on her lips the words of Wisdom : "Lord, my Saviour, Thou hast become my help and protector." And she herself said, in the midst of her sufferings: "I love my Lord Jesus Christ who strengthens me."
St. Martina was beheaded in 228 and joined in heaven the train of Virgins who surround the divine King (Alleluia). Her remains rest in a former temple of Mars, transformed into a church which bears the name of this virgin, whose name recalls that of the god of war. Let us arm ourselves, to defend the divinity of Jesus, with love of purity.
Loquebar de testimoniis tuis in conspectu regum, et non confundebar: et meditabar in mandatis tuis, quae dilexi nimis. * Beati immaculati in via, qui ambulant in lege Domini.
I spoke of Thy testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed: I meditated also on Thy commandments, which I loved. * Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord.
(Psalm 118:46-47,1 from the Introit of Mass)
Deus, qui inter cétera poténtiae tuae mirácula étiam in sexu frágili victóriam martýrii contulísti: concéde propítius; ut, qui beátae Martinae Vírginis et Mártyris tuae natalítia cólimus, per ejus ad te exémpla gradiámur.
O God, who among the wonders of Thy power hast granted even to the weaker sex the triumph of martyrdom: mercifully grant that we who celebrate the heavenly birthday of blessed Martina Thy virgin and martyr may, through her example, advance nearer to Thee.
(Collect)
From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09730a.htm
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