Father Lawrence Lew, OP via Flickr, licensed cc
Today is the feast of Mary Magdalene – apostle to the apostles, converted sinner, contemplative, and the first person to see the Resurrected Christ.
A quote to share…O happy Mary of happy merit, who deserved to be the first of mortals to see the Son of God rise from the dead. For the love of him, you despised the allurements of the world. Commend us to him, we beg you, by your assiduous prayers that we may enjoy with you, O Lady, his most happy presence. From a Matins responsory in the Dominican tradition for the feast of St Mary Magdalene.
Who was Mary Magdalene?
Mary is thought to be the sister of Martha and Lazarus. We get our first glimpse of her in Chapter 7 of the Gospel of St. Luke and in Chapter 8 we learn her name and that she had 7 demons cast from her. She told her friends and they became followers of Jesus. She is mentioned at least a dozen times in the scriptures.
Gospel scholars may dispute whether or not she was truly the woman that washed Jesus’s feet. Scholars also debate whether her sin was that of prostitution. This is the important point – Mary Magdalene was such a great sinner that she was vulnerable to demonic possession. And yet Jesus saved her. The lesson for us is that no person is beyond the love and saving grace of God.
Scholars do agree, however, that she had been a great sinner, and that she experienced a conversion after contemplating her life and the teaching of Jesus. She was devoted to Jesus.
It is believed that Mary Magdalene followed the apostles and took care of the disciples. She was the first to visit the tomb and find the risen Christ.
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Legends and Stories about Mary Magdalene
Legends tell us that she remained with the early Christians. The Jews allegedly put her into a boat with other Christians and set them adrift. She eventually landed in Southern France where she lived out her life in a cave. There are stories of miracles from invoking her intercession and involving her remains.
She is the patron saint of converts, sinners, pharmacists, tanners, women, and the tempted.
A medieval window of St Mary Magdalene, identified by her long flowing hair and the alabaster jar of ointment, in the antechapel of All Souls’ College in Oxford.
Father Lawrence Lew, OP via Flickr, licensed cc
By Stefano Bistolfi – Own work, Public Domain, Link
Things to Read
Legend of St. Mary Magdalene
Great Article at Fish eaters about Mary Magdalene
Ways to celebrate the feast of Mary Magdalene!
Make a homemade balm, oil, or perfume. This looks fun and it’s free on Kindle.
Or make Madeleine’s (French for Magdalene – which is fitting since that’s where legend says she ended up!).
Catholic Cuisine has the recipe here!
A coloring page for younger children.
Have your child, or you, fill out the worksheet for for the Saint of the Day and start a Saint Notebook.
Display this votive Candle wrap from Catholic Icing
Display a sacred image of St. Mary Magdalene, also available from Catholic icing.
On a Personal Note …
my son became a single dad when he was 17. He was rebellious and rejecting of his parents and Catholic upbringing. After some years though, he is finding his way and has blossomed into a focused man, provider, loving son, and most importantly – loving daddy to his little girl. Today is also his birthday.
