About Saint Mary Magdalene:
St. Mary Magdalene is one of the greatest saints of the Bible and a legendary example of God’s mercy and grace. We don’t have a lot of detail about her life, but we do know she was present with Christ during his public ministry, death and resurrection. She is mentioned at least a dozen times in the Gospels.
Although Mary Magdalene has often been portrayed as a prostitute or sexually immoral, this is not supported in the scriptures. What the Gospels do tell us is that Mary was originally a great sinner and that Jesus cast seven demons out of her:
“Soon afterward Jesus went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means” (Luke 8:1-3).
But that is really all we know about her lifestyle. We do know that she went on to became one of His most faithful followers, as evidence by the fact that Mary Magdalene was one of the three women at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified (John 19: 25-‐27).
Further in the Gospel of John, Jesus actually appears to Mary Magdalene alone after His Resurrection, and instructs her to tell his disciples of his return (John 20:1-13).
You will find different versions of the spelling of her name (Magdalene, Magdelina, Madeleine), but they all refer to the same person. Madeleine is a modern reading of the Greek: Μαγδαληνὴ (Magdalene, “from Magdala”).
There are several churches, cathedrals and shrines relating to Saint Mary Magdalen throughout the world. Some of the more prominent ones are listed below. Pope Francis raised the July 22 memorial of St. Mary Magdalene to a feast on the Church’s liturgical calendar, so now we celebrate the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene on that day.
France
Paris: La Madeline Church
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume: Tomb of Saint Mary Magdalene
Israel
Magdala: Home town of Saint Mary Magdalene
U.S.A.
Salt Lake City, Utah: The Cathedral of the Madeleine
