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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Christ's words had the effect of stopping Martha's grief. In her devotion to her Master she had no time to think of her afflictions: And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly. (Hom. lxii) She calls her sister secretly, in order not to let the Jews know that Christ was coming. (non occ.). For had they known, they would have gone, and not been witnesses of the miracle.
Cyril of Alexandria
She went away to call her sister, that she also might share the happiness which arose from the expected event, and receive at once in common with herself the dead one raised again beyond all hope. For she had heard the words: Thy brother shall rise again. And she told the good news of the coming of the Saviour to her sister secretly, because there were sitting by her some of those Jews who felt ill-will towards Christ for His wondrous works. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Martha "secretly" calls her sister; and she did this very wisely. For if the Jews who had come to them had learned that Mary was going to meet Christ, they would have left them, and the miracle would have remained without witnesses. But now the Jews thought that Mary was going to the tomb to weep, went along with her, and by necessity became obvious witnesses of the miracle. Martha says to Mary: "The Teacher is calling you." But in the Evangelist it is not noted that the Lord called her. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Silently, i. e. speaking in a low voice. For she did speak, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. (Tr. xlix. 16) We may observe that the Evangelist has not said, where, or when, or how, the Lord called Mary, but for brevity's sake has left it to be gathered from Martha's words. (Tr. xlix. non occ.) So we see, if she had known of His arrival before, she would not have let Martha go without her.
Thomas Aquinas
1521 The Evangelist, after describing Martha, now describes Mary. First, he mentions how she was called; secondly, her meeting with Christ; and thirdly, the devotion she showed him (v 32). 1522 Mary was called by Martha, who had been consoled and instructed by Christ, as she did not want her sister to miss such consolation. When she had said this, the previous words, to the Lord, she went and called her sister Mary, saying quietly, The Teacher is here and is calling for you. …
Bonaventure
And when she had said these things. Having set forth the faithful confession of Martha, there is set forth here the faithful confession of Mary. First is set forth the haste of Mary when called, in which is signified repose and devotion in Mary: repose, because she did not come unless called by Martha; for this reason he says: And when she had said these things, she went and called her sister Mary in silence. …
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