Saint Mary Magdalene

July 22, 2022
Author: Hannah DeVivo

Peace be with you!

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene. There has been much speculation, confusion, and even slander surrounding this woman. Today, I will address who she is, why she is considered a saint, and how the rumors began.

Who is Mary Magdalene?

In the Bible, we first meet Mary of Magdala when Jesus casts out seven demons from her. Demonic possession can come from a number of different things. Although we belong to God as His children, He also chose to give us free will. This means that we each have the opportunity to choose sin. When we choose to act in a way that is offensive to God and His commandments, we open a gateway that can allow the demons entrance to our lives and hearts. Since sin is the work and fruit of the enemy, we are essentially saying that we have chosen to act in tandem with him and his followers. Depending upon the gravity, nature, and frequency of these sins, the devil can gain increased access to us. Demonic oppression and possession are a result of this.

Many claim that the demons in Mary Magdalene were there from sexual sins, but the nature of the sins in this case is completely unknown. After Jesus cast the demons out, Mary had a deep conversion and began to follow Him. Mary became one who helped Him and the apostles. She would likely have helped to procure food and shelter, along with other similar tasks. She has come to be known as the “apostle to the apostles” and is mentioned in the Bible as one who stood at the foot of the cross to witness the death of Jesus. When Jesus arose gloriously from the dead, He chose Mary to be the first to learn of His rising.

The Canonization and Sainthood of Mary Magdalene

The status of Mary Magdalene’s canonization is “pre-congregation,” which is defined by the Catholic Encyclopedia as “the Beatification and/or Canonization of saints and/or beati prior to the institution of the modern investigations performed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. It designates those beati who were canonized by local bishops, primates, or patriarchs, often as a result of popular devotion.”

Due to the rumors and general misunderstanding surrounding her, scholars and some Church members have not always had a high opinion of Mary Magdalene. Now, however, the Church regards her as a holy saint. In 1969, Pope Paul VI removed the identification of Mary Magdalene with Mary of Bethany and the "sinful woman" from the General Roman Calendar. Since then, more recent popes have spoken of her with respect and look to her as an example for us. Pope Benedict XVI said, “The story of Mary of Magdalene reminds us of all of a fundamental truth .... A disciple of Christ is one who, in the experience of human weakness, has had the humility to ask for his help, has been healed by him and has set out following closely after him, becoming a witness of the power of his merciful love that is stronger than sin and death.”

The Rumors Surrounding This Saint

The most common rumor about Mary Magdalene is that she was the anonymous sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Through the history of translations, this woman is sometimes described as “promiscuous.” It is not a big jump from there to label her as a “sex worker” or other form of prostitute, loose woman, etc. Starting in the time of Gregory the Great, she was regarded to be the same as Mary Magdalene.

Some claim that Mary Magdalene had a romantic relationship with Jesus. This is likely because she is mentioned as traveling with the apostles and was close to Jesus. This rumor is, of course, preposterous. We know that Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was perfect and without sin. Since He was never married, He certainly would not be involved romantically with any woman. Furthermore, He did not come to marry and engage in romance. He came to the earth to liberate us from the crushing grip of the enemy.

What Can We Learn From Saint Mary Magdalene?

The biggest lesson that I have personally learned from Mary Magdalene is to make Confession a frequent habit. Just as choosing sin can allow the enemy entrance to us, choosing the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a clear, deliberate severing of any ties we have to Satan. By making and following through with a plan to go to Confession consistently, we can be sure that we are living in accordance with the will of God and opening ourselves up to the many graces He wishes to offer. To learn more about this wonderful sacrament, check out our blog post “Confession and Forgiveness” here.

Another beautiful way to follow the example of Saint Mary Magdalene is to stay close to Jesus. I am sure that there were many things she, along with the other disciples, did not understand. Their lives were not simple or without difficulty. Yet, throughout everything, they chose to remain close to their teacher. As we navigate the trials and unknowns of life, we can find comfort in clinging to Jesus. It may not always be easy to see His will and His hand in our lives, but by remaining close to Him, His words, and promises, we will come to know that we are never alone or unseen.

Check out some lovely medals of Saint Mary Magdalene here!

Before You Go

Do you have a devotion to Saint Mary Magdalene?

Did you use to consider Mary Magdalene as the woman who anointed the feet of Jesus?

Did you learn anything new in this article?

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