Saint Stories: Saint Mary Magdalene

The journey to sainthood is not a competition within our human family. There is no gold, silver, or bronze prize. Either we have done the work to accept Christ fully into our lives, or we have not. However, there are a few saints, like St. Mary Magdalene who exude excellence in their example of discipleship with Christ. 

At the heart of Mary Magdalene’s story lies a message of devotion to Christ. A common misconception of Mary Magdalene is that she was a prostitute. Modern biblical scholars agree this is not true. Despite these historical misinterpretations, the Gospels do reveal her to be a woman who experienced a great transformation at the hands of Jesus.  Women in this time were traditionally named in connection to a male relative such as a husband, father, or sibling.  Her name indicates that she was a woman from the fishing village of Magdala in Galilee with no well-known relatives in the early Christian community. Luke’s Gospel (8:1-3) is our first encounter with Mary Magdalene where he includes her in a list of women and men who have been following Jesus throughout His public ministry. Freed from seven demons, she emerged from darkness into the light of Christ’s love, embodying the possibility of redemption for all who seek it. In her story, we can find solace in the boundless mercy of God and the transformative power of encountering Christ. Mary Magdalene is changed in a powerful way by her relationship with Christ.

The word disciple comes from the Greek word “mathetes” from the word “mathaìno” the verb meaning “to learn.” Disciples are “learners” or “students” of Christ and Mary Magdalene is a great example of this reality. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, Mary Magdalene stood as a loyal disciple, unwavering in her devotion. She is also known in the scriptures to be one of the women who funded Jesus’ ministry, by providing Him and the Twelve “out of her means.” (Lk 8:3) She followed Him even to the foot of the Cross, bearing witness to His suffering and death with courage and compassion. In this act of solidarity, she exemplified the essence of discipleship—to stand by the Lord in times of trial and adversity, even when all hope seemed lost. Then, her presence at the tomb on that fateful morning, heart heavy with grief, turned to overwhelming joy as she beheld the risen Christ. As the first witness to the Resurrection, Mary Magdalene’s faith was affirmed, and her mission as an evangelist was ignited. 

Mary Magdalene’s role as the primary herald of the Resurrection underscores the central tenet of Christianity- the victory of life over death. She was rewarded for her loyalty to Christ, rewarded with an encounter with the risen Christ. Mary proves to have learned well from Christ, as she immediately runs to tell the others what she has seen. In her proclamation of the Good News, we find inspiration to embrace the reality of Christ’s triumph over sin and death, and to share that message with boldness and conviction. 

Moreover, Mary Magdalene’s example is a challenge to us to embody discipleship in our own lives. Her unwavering commitment to Jesus serves as a beacon of light in a world often overshadowed by doubt and fear. In her courage, we can find the strength to persevere in our faith journey, knowing that we walk in the footsteps of someone who faced adversity with unwavering resolve. 

The life of St. Mary Magdalene offers us an example of holiness and discipleship. Her journey from darkness to light, her unwavering loyalty to Jesus, and her proclamation of the Resurrection inspire believers to embrace repentance, forgiveness, and evangelization. As we reflect on the legacy of Mary Magdalene, may we be emboldened to walk the path of discipleship with courage, faith, and devotion.