St. Mary Magdalen

Whoever has sinned against God can hardly do better than to turn to the life of St. Mary Magdalen for hope and consolation. She bears witness to the mercy of God in forgiving sinners who turn to him.

Her name indicates that she lived in Magdala, a town near the Sea of Galilee in the Holy Land. She was known in that region as a great sinner. Our Lord's fame had by this time spread all around the countryside, and by His grace this great sinner turned her passion into love for Him. She heard that He was to dine at the home of a man named Simon, and she came into the house carrying an alabaster jar of ointment. As she entered Jesus' presence she was- seized by a great sorrow for her sins.

She fell at His feet and began to weep, washing His feet with her tears, and drying them with her hair. She anointed His feet with the ointment she had brought. Simon, seeing this, said to himself, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would surely know what kind of woman this is that touches Him, that she is a sinner." Our Lord, who knew his thoughts, said "Dost thou see this woman? I entered thy house and thou gavest Me no water for My feet, but she has washed them with her tears. My head with oil thou didst not anoint, but she with ointment hath anointed My feet. Therefore I say to thee, many sins are forgiven her, because she has loved much." And Jesus said to Mary, "Thy sins are forgiven thee. Thy faith hath made thee safe, go in peace."

Mary Magdalen never returned to her former life. From that moment she devoted herself to loving the Lamb of God who had taken away her sins. She followed Christ to His crucifixion where she and the Virgin Mary watched and waited together at the foot of the Cross, when all others but St. John had abandoned Him. Mary Magdalen would 'not be separated from her Lord even after His death, but hurried to the tomb that first Easter morning to anoint His precious body. She was rewarded by being one of the first to witness His Resurrection. Tradition relates that after the Ascension she lived the rest of her life in a cave, contemplating the glories of God, doing penance for her sins, and praying for other sinners.

When she had finished her task on earth, she passed to the heaven which God has prepared, not for those who imagine that they are rich in every virtue and need nothing, but for those who turn to Him by sincere repentance. A blessing which I wish you all in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.





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