St Mary Magdalene

Mary and the Teacher outside the empty tomb

Saint Mary Magdalene, also known as Mary of Magdala, was a prominent disciple of Jesus. Originating from Magdala in Galilee, she was part of a group of women who travelled with Jesus and supported His mission through their resources.

According to the Gospel of Luke, she was healed by Jesus from demonic possession, having had seven demons exorcised from her. In the Gospel narratives, Mary is consistently listed first among Jesus' female followers. She was present at Jesus’ Crucifixion and His burial. Additionally, she was among the first to witness Christ's empty tomb and the first person to whom Jesus appeared after His Resurrection. Initially mistaking Him for a gardener, Mary was commissioned by Jesus to convey the news of His Resurrection to the apostles, earning her the title “apostle to the apostles” within the Church.

Historically, Mary Magdalene has often been erroneously conflated with the unnamed penitent woman who anointed Jesus’ feet, Mary of Bethany, and the adulterous woman whom Jesus saved from stoning. She is frequently portrayed in art and drama as a repentant prostitute, despite the lack of evidence supporting these associations. These misconceptions were officially addressed by Pope Paul VI in 1969 when he revised the Roman Missal. Pope Francis later established the feast day of Saint Mary Magdalene, celebrated on July 22.