Feast of Mary Magdalene

This week the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene. For many years Mary was identified as a sinful woman - the former prostitute who anointed the feet of Jesus - but this was a conflation of two separate stories in different chapters of Luke's account of the Gospel.

In 1969 Pope Paul VI issued a statement that this presumption was incorrect, rightfully recognising Mary as a woman of means - one of three whom Luke names as supporting Jesus' ministry out of their own pockets as He and the disciples travelled throughout Galilee.

In all four Gospel accounts Mary is identified as one of the constant companions of Jesus, and one of the few that were still by his side at the crucifixion. And in both Matthew's and John's accounts it was Mary to whom the resurrection was first revealed.

In 2016 Pope Francis made the decision to elevate Mary Magdalene's memorial to the status of a major feast - placing her on equal footing with the Apostles.

As the Church celebrates this remarkable and much-maligned woman, may her example of faithful love and self-giving inspire us. And may we one day be rewarded as she was, seeing the risen Christ.

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