Mary from Magdala

St. Mary Magdalen (1st c.) was a friend and devoted follower of Jesus Christ, out of whom He exorcised seven demons. Mary Magdalene has a special place among Jesus’ disciples and is mentioned several times in the Gospels.  It is believed by some that she is the same Mary of Bethany who anointed the feet of Jesus before his Passion. She stood at the foot of the Cross with the Blessed Mother, and the next morning went to Christ's tomb in order to anoint his body.

As a reward for her great love and faithfulness, she is the first recorded witness of Jesus' Resurrection. It was Mary Magdalene who informed the twelve Apostles that Jesus had risen from the dead; for this she is called “Apostle to the Apostles.”

After Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, Mary Magdalene continued her mission as an evangelist, contemplative, and mystic in the heart of the Church. There are two traditions as to where she settled.

            According to the Greek tradition she went to Ephesus with the Virgin Mary and died there.

According to French tradition she, along with her siblings Martha and Lazarus, were exiled from Israel and shipped out to sea, landing in Marseilles, France. Mary Magdalene evangelized and converted the entire Provence region, and lived in a cave doing penance for thirty years until her death.

Mary Magdalene is the patron of women, repentant sinners, penitent women, reformed prostitutes, contemplatives, converts, pharmacists, perfumers, hairstylists, and against sexual temptation.

Her feast day is July 22nd.