St. Mark was one of the four Evangelists and the author of the second Gospel in the New Testament. Though not one of the twelve apostles, he was a companion of both St. Peter and St. Paul, and tradition holds that his Gospel reflects Peter’s preaching about Jesus.
The prayers to St. Mark invoke his intercession as an Evangelist and seeker of truth, asking for guidance in understanding and living the Gospel message. His feast day is celebrated on April 25, and he is particularly venerated for his role in spreading the Christian faith and establishing the Church in Alexandria.
Historical Context
Saint: Mark the Evangelist
Feast Day: April 25
Patronage: Venice, notaries, interpreters
Era: 1st Century AD
St. Mark Prayer 1
O Almighty God,
Who hast instructed thy holy Church
with the heavenly doctrine of thy Evangelist Saint Mark:
Give us grace, that, being not like children
carried away with every blast of vain doctrine,
we may be established in the truth of thy holy Gospel;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
St. Mark Prayer 2
O God,
who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist,
and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel,
grant, we pray, that we may so profit from his teaching
as to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
St. Mark Prayer 3
God,
May you help us to know Him well
so that we may faithfully live our lives as followers of Christ.
Obtain for me I pray you,
lively faith, firm hope and burning love;
patience in adversity, humility in prosperity,
recollection in prayer, purity of heart,
a right intention in all my works,
diligence in fulfilling the duties of my state of life,
constancy in my resolutions,
resignation to the will of God
and perseverance in the grace of God even unto death,
and, by your intercession and your glorious merits
I entrust to you this special favour I now ask…
[Mention your request here…]
I ask this through Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
Amen.
