Mary Magdalen’s feast day is July 22
On July 22, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen, one of the most prominent women of the New Testament.
In 2016, Pope Francis elevated her memorial to a feast during the Jubilee of Mercy putting her on par with the apostles. By doing so, the importance of this woman “who so loved Christ and was so greatly loved by Christ,” is emphasized said Pope Francis.
She was the only women apostle of Christ, present with Mary at his crucifixion, and was the first to witness His resurrection.
Her name comes from Magdala, Galilee, where she was born. Scripture introduces her as a woman “who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalen, from whom seven demons had gone out” (Luke 8:2).
According to the Gospels, Mary Magdalen was a follower of Christ, who accompanied and ministered to him. The Gospels record her as being one of the women present at Christ’s crucifixion: “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.” (John 19:25)
The Gospels all describe Mary Magdalen going to the tomb on Easter morning. When she saw that the tomb was empty, she stood outside, weeping. Jesus appeared to her and asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She did not recognize him, thinking he was the gardener, until he said her name, “Mary!” Upon hearing this, Mary recognized him. She returned to the grieving disciples to announce to them the message of the Resurrection. (Mark 16:9–11)
St. Mary Magdalen is the patron saint against sexual temptation; apothecaries; contemplative life; contemplatives; converts; druggists; glove makers; hairdressers; hairstylists; penitent sinners; penitent women; people ridiculed for their piety; perfumeries; perfumers; pharmacists; reformed prostitutes; tanners; women.
In medieval art, she is often depicted with an alabaster jar. In 591 during an Easter sermon, Pope Gregory I mistakenly identified Mary Magdalen as Mary of Bethany and the unnamed “sinful woman” who anointed Jesus’ feet. It resulted in a widespread belief that Mary Magdalen was a repentant prostitute or the woman who anointed Jesus.
How to celebrate Mary Magdalen on her feast day:
- Go to Mass on July 22 with a girlfriend, daughter, or mother
- Read “Mary Magdalen’s Complaint at Christ’s Death” a poem by St. Robert Southwell.
- Read “The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle”. Written early in the 2nd century, it disappeared for over 1,500 years until a single, fragmentary copy in Coptic translation was discovered in the late 19th century in a market in Cairo. The manuscript was purchased by Carl Reinhardt and brought to Berlin in 1896.
- Dye some eggs red. According to a legend, she had an audience with the Roman emperor Tiberius to pronounce that Christ rose from the dead and that she had seen Him. She held out an egg to the emperor and said “Christ is Risen!” To which Tiberius replied that there was as much chance of a human returning to life from the dead as there was of the egg in her hand turning red. The egg promptly turned red, according to the legend.
- Spend time praying or saying the rosary in a garden.
- Plant a flower in her honor.
Prayer for Mary Magdalen’s Feast Day
Grant to us, most merciful Father, that as the blessed Mary Magdalen, by loving Our Lord Jesus Christ above all things, won the forgiveness of her sins, so may she obtain for us, through Your mercy, everlasting happiness. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
