St. Mary Magdalene
“I have seen the Lord.”
Delivered by Christ and faithful through his Passion, Mary Magdalene became the first recorded witness sent to proclaim the risen Lord.
The story
Mary Magdalene appears in the Gospels as a disciple of Jesus. Her name probably associates her with Magdala, a town beside the Sea of Galilee. Luke records that Jesus delivered her from seven demons. She then traveled with Jesus and the Twelve among a group of women who supported the ministry from their resources. The Gospels do not identify her as the unnamed sinful woman who anointed Jesus in Luke 7, nor is she Mary of Bethany. These women must not be conflated.
Mary remained present when many disciples fled during the Passion. The Gospel accounts differ in their lists of women, but all place Mary Magdalene among the witnesses to the crucifixion, burial, or discovery of the empty tomb. According to John, she stood near the cross with the other faithful women. She later came to the tomb while it was still dark and found the stone removed.
John's Gospel gives the fullest account of her meeting with the risen Christ. Mary initially mistook Jesus for the gardener. She recognized him when he called her by name. Jesus then sent her to announce his Resurrection and coming Ascension to the disciples. She obeyed with the proclamation, “I have seen the Lord.” Because she was sent to announce the Resurrection to the apostles, Christian tradition has honored her as the Apostle to the Apostles.
The New Testament says nothing certain about Mary's later life or death. Traditions placing her at Ephesus or in southern France arose later and cannot be historically verified. Her ancient cult developed long before formal canonization procedures. Western preaching sometimes identified her with other Gospel women, especially after a homily of Pope St. Gregory the Great in 591, but this identification is not required by the biblical texts. In 2016, Pope Francis directed that her liturgical celebration be raised from an obligatory memorial to a feast. Celebrated on July 22, it emphasizes her unique mission as a witness and herald of the Resurrection.
What Mary teaches
Mary Magdalene teaches that Christ calls people by name, frees them from evil, and entrusts them with a mission. Her witness places the Resurrection at the center of Christian faith, as CCC 638 declares. Every disciple is called to announce that Christ is alive.
Patronage
preachers of the Resurrection, women disciples, the Dominican Order, those seeking deliverance.
Prayer
Risen Lord, you called St. Mary Magdalene by name and sent her to announce your victory. Through her intercession, free us from sin, keep us faithful near the suffering, and make us joyful witnesses of your Resurrection. Strengthen all who proclaim your Gospel. Amen.