Martin I About Pope Saint Martin I (? – 655) (Martyr) Pope Saint Martin I was born in Todi in (in central ). He was a Roman of noble birth, and had a reputation for intelligence, learning and charity. 13 April He was elected Pope in the year 649. He called a synod to combat the Monothelite heresy, which claimed that whilst Christ had a human and divine nature, he only had one will. The government of the day was heavily involved in theological controversies and it did not like the Church being divided by doctrinal conflicts as it felt that would threaten public order. The government sought peace at all costs, even sacrificing orthodoxy.

Martin was tried by Emperor Constans II in and was imprisoned and exiled to Crimea. There he was mistreated by fellow Christians and died on 1 September in the year 655.

What can we learn from Pope Saint Martin’s life?

Whilst we do not know a great deal about Saint Martin, there are three concrete facts which are of significance to us. Firstly, he did not waver from the truth of Christ, nor from proclaiming it.

Secondly, he did not give in to heresy when it would have been much easier to do so.

Thirdly, governments and the have grappled for last two thousand years of this idea of Church and State as one, or the alternative the separation of Church and State. The problem Pope Martin I faced illustrates the challenges presented when Church and State are one. In situations where the Church and State are one, it is usually the government dictating to the Church instead of the other way around.

Governments have their function to fulfil as does the Church. The Church as an institution must be law-abiding, as must its members who are citizens of a country. However, our Catholic faith should inform the choices we make daily and we must remain faithful to Christ who is our Way, Truth and Life.

The Collect

Pope Saint Martin I Grant, almighty God, (Martyr) that we may withstand the trials of this world with invincible firmness of purpose, 13 April just as you did not allow your Martyr Pope Saint Martin the First to be daunted by threats or broken by suffering. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading John 15:18-21

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice withdrew you from the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too; if they kept my word, they will keep yours as well. But it will be on my account that they will do all this, because they do not know the one who sent me.’

Antiphon

Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit, alleluia.

A Hymn for of Saint Martin Pope Saint Martin I O Saint Martin, you explained O Saint Martin, in your life, (Martyr) to those around you in your day you encountered those misguided. 13 April that God always had ordained In your life they caused great strife, Christ would have tow natures always. God’s own people they divided. Christ two natures did combine, Christ two natures did combine, being human and divine. being human and divine.

As God and man, Jesus had O Christ, may we through our days two wills, one divine, one human. remain faithful to your teaching, O Saint Martin, you believed and may our hearts for you blaze, this truth was a part of God’s plan. by us, Your Gospel far-reaching, Christ two natures did combine, Christ two natures did combine, being human and divine. being human and divine.

Text: Chris deSilva and Alessio Loiacono Tune: Grosser Gott 78.78. 77

SCRIPTURE READINGS: Jerusalem Bible Translation of Scripture used in Australian Lectionary for Mass, Vols I, II and III (London: Collins Liturgical, 1981). All rights reserved. THE COLLECT: Roman Missal 2010 © International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. REFERENCES: Sourcebook 2019: © Liturgy Training Publications 2019 Universalis App: 13 April 2021. All rights reserved.