St. Mary Magdalene

St. Mary Magdalene is one of the greatest saints of the Bible and a legendary example of God's mercy and grace. The precise dates of her birth and death are unknown, but we do know she was present with Christ during his public ministry, death and resurrection. She is mentioned at least a dozen times in the Gospels. Mary Magdalene has long been regarded as a prostitute or sexually immoral in western Christianity, but this is not supported in the scriptures. It is believed she was a Jewish woman who lived among Gentiles, living as they did. The Gospels agree that Mary was originally a great sinner. Jesus cast seven demons out of her when he met her. After this, she told several women she associated with and these women also became followers.

There is also debate over if Mary Magdalene is the same unnamed women, a sinner, who weeps and washes Jesus' feet with her hair in the Gospel of John. Scholars are skeptical this is the same person. Despite the scholarly dispute over her background, what she did in her subsequent life, after meeting Jesus, is much more significant. She was certainly a sinner whom Jesus saved, giving us an example of how no person is beyond the saving grace of God. During Jesus' ministry, it is believed that Mary Magdalene followed him, part of a semi-permanent entourage who served Jesus and his Disciples.

Mary likely watched the crucifixion from a distance along with the other women who followed Christ during His ministry. Mary was present when Christ rose from the dead, visiting his tomb to anoint his body only to find the stone rolled away and Christ, very much alive, sitting at the place they laid Him. She was the first witness to His resurrection. After the death of Christ, a legend states that she remained among the early Christians. After fourteen years, she was allegedly put into a boat by Jews, along with several other saints of the early Church, and set adrift without sails or oars. The boat landed in southern France, where she spent the remaining years of her life living in solitude, in a cave.

St. Mary Magdalene's feast day is July 22. She is the patroness of converts, repentant sinners, sexual temptation, pharmacists, tanners and women, and many other places and causes.

Liturgical Celebration

The feast of St. Mary Magdalene is celebrated on July 22nd, during the summer season when the Church reflects on the themes of growth and harvest. This feast is celebrated as a memorial in the Roman Catholic Church, recognizing Mary Magdalene's importance as the first witness to the Resurrection and her role in salvation history. The feast falls during a time when many people are enjoying the warmth and beauty of summer, making it an ideal time to remember Mary Magdalene's witness to the light of Christ's Resurrection. The feast provides an opportunity to honor Mary Magdalene's memory and to reflect on how we can be witnesses to God's mercy and love in our own lives. It is also a time to pray for those who are struggling with sin and brokenness, asking for Mary Magdalene's intercession in helping them to experience God's transforming grace.

Traditions and Customs

On the feast day of St. Mary Magdalene, many people participate in special prayers and devotions to honor her memory and seek her intercession. Churches, particularly those with connections to conversion ministries or healing ministries, hold special Masses and services. Many people gather to pray for those who are struggling with sin and brokenness, asking for St. Mary Magdalene's intercession in helping them to experience God's mercy and transformation. The day is also marked by prayers for all those who work in healing and conversion ministries, asking for Mary Magdalene's guidance in helping others to encounter Christ. Many people also take time to reflect on their own need for God's mercy and to pray for the grace to be witnesses to His love and forgiveness. The feast is also a time to reflect on how we can share the good news of Christ's Resurrection with others and to ensure that our lives reflect the hope and joy that comes from knowing Him.

Prayer and Devotion

The feast day is an excellent time to pray for the gift of repentance and the ability to experience God's transforming grace. Many people make special petitions for those who are struggling with sin and brokenness, asking for St. Mary Magdalene's intercession in helping them to encounter Christ and experience His mercy. The day is also a time to reflect on the importance of being witnesses to the truth and to pray for the grace to boldly proclaim our faith in Christ's Resurrection. St. Mary Magdalene's feast day encourages us to remember that no one is beyond God's mercy and that He can transform even the most broken lives. It is also a time to pray for the grace to be humble about our own need for God's forgiveness and to extend that same forgiveness to others. The feast reminds us that we are all called to be witnesses to God's love and mercy, just as Mary Magdalene was the first witness to Christ's victory over death.