Tales of a Sacred Crypt: Homage to Saint Martha

The Shrine of Saint Martha-Tarascon, France
(photo courtesy of Drew Smith)

What an exciting discovery -- and completely unplanned. It is not every day one discovers a crypt holding the actual remains of someone who not only knew Jesus of Nazareth personally, but was a follower.


Pilgrims Donate (Honor System) and Light A Candle in Honor of their Prayer of Loved Ones
(Photo by Drew Smith)

In 48 AD, in a boat, Martha, mother of Lazarus (yes that one), and a follower of Jesus, came here along with others to spread the word of Christ and escape problems in Palestine. It was here that she would later perish and be buried (surrounded in mythology of saving Tarascon and Provence from all kinds of troubles by invoking the name of Christ).

Steeple of "Sainte Marthe Collegiate Church" at Night
(photo by Drew Smith)

After our own far less celebrated arrival, by modern rental car, Drew was full of wanderlust and eager to walk around and see the town, camera in tow.

The Streets of Tarascon at Dusk
(photo by Drew Smith)

I'm sure riding in a car with my driving across Spain and France all day with his grandfather, getting lost maybe one time (but not my fault, ahem), had nothing to do with his wanting to strike out on his own.

 (photos by Drew Smith)

 

Drew came back to the Hotel de Provence that night full of excitement. He is something of a Biblical Historian, so when he came across this discovery he could hardly contain his excitement. After hearing of his find, we were eager to see them the next day ourselves, before the start of the Tour de France, our original purpose for stopping here. He said there would be a castle and a river as well.

 

Dad Checking Out the Local Chocolatier - One In Every Village
(photo by Drew Smith)

According to the history, as they crossed the Mediterranean, the boat that contained St. Martha, Lazarus, Saome, Jacobea, Maximus and Marcella, had lost both its sail and rudder, and was at the mercy of the waves and the winds. This is how Drew and Dad felt about my driving skills across France, and that we some how landed safely here ourselves by the "Grace of God." Martha's boat was cast upon the shores of Avignon, not far from Tarascon. I parked our car very safely, I might add.

 

 (photo by Drew Smith)

 

Later,the villagers of Tarascon showed up to beg her to travel back to their village, to ward off an evil "monster" of some sort. She saw this as God's will, and followed them back to Tarascon with only a cross and a prayer. According to legend, she was able to "convince" the monster to surrender to the villagers, who promptly killed it and thus saved the village.

 

(photo by Drew Smith)

When she died, her body was laid to rest in an early Christian crypt and a church was built around her. Over the years, many have come to pray at her crypt for deliverance from many evils.

 

In 500 AD, Clovis was ill after fighting at the Siege of Avignon and came here to be healed at her crypt. Since that time, many other Kings, cardinals, popes and future popes, including John XXIII, have prayed at her side.

 

 

 

 

 



                                               The Crypt Is Down The Stairs to the Left

                                                               (photo by Drew Smith)

 



Since those early times, until present day, many pilgrims come to pray to be healed and just to enjoy a moment of quiet prayer and reflection.

 

 

 

Over the centuries, the early church building has been transformed many times from Early to Romanesque. There are many churches built on top of churches, and you can see the different architectural transformations as you tour this ancient place.

 



The Crypt of Saint Martha

(photo by Drew Smith)

 

                                 The Top of the Crypt Depicts a Relief of the Body of St. Martha

(photo by Drew Smith)

 

                                                            Close Up of St. Martha
                                                            (photo by Drew Smith)

                                          The Oldest Part of the Crypt -- The Early Church

 

(photo by Drew Smith)

 

                                          Dad Praying that My Driving In France Improves
                                                              (Photo by Drew Smith)

                                                                (Photo by Drew Smith)

                                                                (photo by Drew Smith)

                                                              (photo by Drew Smith)

                                                                 (photo by Drew Smith)

                                                                   (photo by Drew Smith)

                                                                (photo by Drew Smith)

                                    The River Rhone and the Boundary of the Provence Region
                                                                     (photo by Drew Smith)

                                                                 (photo by Drew Smith)

                       The Chateau de Royale Which was the First Line of Defense of Provence
                                                                       (Photo by Drew Smith)

                                                The Bridge Over the Moat of the Chateau
                                                              (photo by Drew Smith)

                                                                  Drawing on the Walls
                                                                  (photo by Drew Smith)

Speaking of Saint Martha, who is the Patron Saint of Hotels and Hospitality, the Hotel de Provence in Tarascon is a family owned (owner pictured above) hotel in downtown Tarascon, that offers the best hospitality in town in the true spirit of St. Martha. If you are ever wanting to experience Provence, I highly recommend a stay in this establishment. www.hotel-provence-tarascon.com The rates are reasonable, and they offer great rooms, balconies and a traditional provincial breakfast. This is Antoine Ricy. Tell Antoine that I sent you! contact@hoteldeprovencetarascon.fr.

Next up, our visit to Pont du Gard, the 2000 year old Roman Aqueduct and the best preserved aqueduct today. After that, I promise a return to Hemingway's Spain and the Pamplona Running of the Bull and the Fiesta! It will be great. If you have ever wanted to read or re-read "The Sun Also Rises" you should do it now, because I will be giving you the pictorial blow by blow through the novel, from spending the night in Hemingway's actual room and the room described in the book (for the trout fishing) to the last scene in Madrid, all of that is coming up. So start reading now. I will try my best not to wait another month between posts.