Saint Mark the Evangelist

Who is he?

Saint Mark wrote the second Gospel, the shortest of the Gospels. Tradition says he is the “John whose other name was Mark” mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 12:12). He was a cousin of Saint Barnabas (cf. Col 4:10).

Life story

His mother was Mary of Jerusalem. Her house was a place where many of the first Christians gathered to pray (cf. Acts 12:12). Growing up in that community, Mark went with Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas on a missionary journey. But halfway, he left and went back to Jerusalem (cf. Acts 13:13). Because of that, the next time Saint Paul did not want to take him along, but Saint Barnabas still trusted him and took him with him (cf. Acts 15:37-39).

He did not give up. He tried again, and later became a very valuable helper, so much so that Saint Paul himself wrote: “Get Mark and bring him with you; for he is very useful in serving me” (2 Tm 4:11). Saint Peter loved him like a son and called him “my son Mark” (1 Pt 5:13).

According to tradition, he wrote down what Saint Peter preached about Jesus, and that became the second Gospel. Also according to tradition, he founded the Church in Alexandria (Egypt) and was martyred there. In the year 828, his relics were brought to Venice (Italy), and the winged lion, the symbol of the Gospel he wrote, became the symbol of that city.

Why is he a saint?

Saint Mark was once weak and gave up. But thanks to people who trusted him and helped him, like Saint Barnabas and Saint Peter, he got back up. He faithfully served the Gospel, wrote down for us the things Jesus did, and according to tradition gave his life for the Lord.

A lesson for you

• If you leave a good task unfinished, don’t stay sad about it: ask God to help you and start again.
• Trust your friends and give them a chance to try again, just as Saint Barnabas did with Saint Mark.
• Read the Gospel of Mark: it is short, easy to read, and tells many of the things Jesus did.