Saint Mary Magdalene

Feastday:   July 22

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 and is mentioned at least a dozen times in the Gospels.

She was one of the few who remained with Christ during His agony on the Cross and visited His tomb with two other women and found it empty. It was to her that Jesus first appeared after His Resurrection and asked her to announce His Resurrection to the Apostles.

She has long been regarded as 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 they met. After this, she told several women she associated with, and these 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.

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.

Prayer to St. Mary Magdalene

Saint Mary Magdalene, woman of many sins, 

who by conversion became the beloved of Jesus,

thank you for your witness that Jesus forgives

through the miracle of love.

You, who already possess eternal happiness

in His glorious presence,

please intercede for me, so that some day

I may share in the same everlasting joy.

Amen.