[I wonder why Martha’s feast ranks ahead of the others in this trio?]
July 29
The memorial of Saint Martha, who in Bethany near Jerusalem received the Lord Jesus into her home and, when her brother was dead, confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world.”
The commemoration of Saint Lazarus, the brother of Saint Martha, whom being dead the Lord mourned and resuscitated; and of Mary, his sister, who when Martha was bustling about in constant work sat at the Lord’s feet and heard his word.
***
May Holy Mary and all the saints intercede to the Lord for us, that we may merit to be helped and saved by him who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
V. Precious in the sight of the Lord
R. Is the death of his holy ones.
V. May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. And may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
R. Amen
[To learn about praying this and other Martyrology entries, see this page.]
Martha is first here because July 29 was originally her feast and the others were added later. In fact, basically this is the octave day of July 22 which is St. Mary Magdalene who was formerly identified as Martha’s sister — so actually Mary had priority and Martha was secondary. But once people no longer thought Mary Magdalene was the same as Mary sister of Martha, they had to fit in Martha’s sister somewhere, so she took second place here.