SAINT MARK, Evangelist, April 25

The second Gospel was written by St. Mark, who, in
the New Testament, is sometimes called John Mark. Both
he and his mother Mary, were highly esteemed in the
early Church, and his mother’s house in Jerusalem served
as a meeting place for Christians there. He was associated
with St. Paul and St. Barnabas (who was Mark’s cousin)
on their missionary journey through the island of Cyprus.
Later he accompanied St. Barnabas alone. We know also
that he was in Rome with St. Peter and with St. Paul.
Tradition ascribes to him the founding of the Church in
Alexandria. His feast falls on April 25th
.
It is historically certain that St. Mark wrote the second
Gospel, that he wrote it in Rome sometime before the
year 60 A.D., that he wrote it in Greek for the Gentile
converts to Christianity. Tradition tells us that St. Mark
was requested by the Romans to set down the teachings
of St. Peter. This seems to be confirmed by the position
which St. Peter has in this Gospel. In this way the second
Gospel is a record of the life of Jesus as seen through the
eyes of the Prince of the Apostles. Lives of the Saints, Page 162

Litany of the Saints – Raccolta #687
a) The faithful who on the feast of St. Mark the
Evangelist or on the Rogation days devoutly assist at
the sacred ceremony proper to these days in churches
or in public oratories are grated: An indulgence of 10
years; A plenary indulgence if they have obtained the forgiveness
of their sins, received Holy Communion and prayed for the
intentions of Holy Mother the Church.