Celebrating Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene is one of the most prominent female figures in the Christian tradition. Celebrated in both the Eastern and Western Churches, her feast day, July 22nd, honors her role as a faithful disciple, witness to the resurrection, and, in medieval tradition, a penitent sinner. Across centuries, her image has evolved from apostolic leader to model of repentance, and more recently, to a symbol of feminine spiritual authority.
Mary Magdalene appears prominently in the canonical Gospels, especially as a close follower of Jesus. She is identified as:
A witness to Jesus’s crucifixion (Mark 15:40; John 19:25),
The first person to see the risen Christ (John 20:11–18),
And the one commissioned to announce the resurrection to the apostles—earning her the title “apostle to the apostles” in early Christian writings (Brock, 2003).
Nowhere in the canonical texts is she explicitly identified as a prostitute. This association arose later, largely due to a 6th-century sermon by Pope Gregory the Great (Homily 33), which conflated her with Mary of Bethany and the unnamed sinful woman in Luke 7. This misidentification shaped medieval devotion but has been widely revised in modern scholarship (Haskins, 1993).
Mary Magdalene's feast day, observed on July 22nd, was recognized in the Western Church from at least the 8th century (Farmer, 1987). Her cult grew especially popular in medieval France, where legends claimed she traveled to Provence after the resurrection and lived as a hermit in the Sainte-Baume cave. A major pilgrimage center developed around her relics at Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (Jansen, 2000).
She was revered as a model of penitence, and her tears became symbolic of spiritual transformation. Liturgical texts and iconography emphasized her repentance, often depicting her with long flowing hair, ointment jars, or in solitude.
In Eastern Christianity, Mary Magdalene is honored not as a penitent but as a myrrh-bearer and equal to the apostles (isapostolos). Her feast day is also July 22nd. Eastern traditions preserve legends of her travels and preaching in Ephesus, where she is said to have died and been buried (Shoemaker, 2005).
Liturgical hymns and homilies in the Byzantine tradition focus on her role at the tomb and her unwavering discipleship. She is celebrated as a symbol of courage and fidelity in the face of suffering and disbelief.
In 2016, Pope Francis elevated her July 22nd feast to the level of a liturgical feast day (previously a memorial), placing her celebration on par with the male apostles. The Congregation for Divine Worship emphasized her role as “a paradigm of the evangelizing woman” and restored her reputation as the first witness to the resurrection, free from the conflation with the repentant sinner (Vatican Press Office, 2016).
Modern feminist and theological scholarship has reclaimed Mary Magdalene as a figure of leadership, agency, and authority in the early Church, recognizing her central role in the formation of Christian witness and memory (King, 2003; Brock, 2003).
The celebration of Mary Magdalene reflects centuries of evolving interpretation, from apostle to penitent, mystic to missionary. Today, she stands as a powerful symbol of faith, witness, and the often-overlooked role of women in the early Christian movement. Her feast day on July 22nd continues to inspire liturgical observance, pilgrimage, and theological reflection.
Works Cited
Brock, Ann Graham. Mary Magdalene, the First Apostle: The Struggle for Authority. Harvard Theological Studies, 2003.
Farmer, David Hugh. The Oxford Dictionary of Saints. Oxford University Press, 1987.
Haskins, Susan. Mary Magdalen: Myth and Metaphor. HarperCollins, 1993.
Jansen, Katherine Ludwig. The Making of the Magdalen: Preaching and Popular Devotion in the Later Middle Ages. Princeton University Press, 2000.
King, Karen L. The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle. Polebridge Press, 2003.
Shoemaker, Stephen J. Mary in Early Christian Faith and Devotion. Yale University Press, 2005.
Vatican Press Office. “Apostolic Letter Elevating the Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene to a Feast.” June 2016. [https://www.vatican.va]
Celebrating Mary Magdalene with Me
Sacred Feminine Rising: A Celebration of Mary Magdalene
Connect with the sacred wisdom, strength, and compassion of Mary Magdalene in this immersive sound bath and reflection experience. Honored as a spiritual teacher, healer, and symbol of the Divine Feminine, Mary Magdalene represents deep inner knowing, devotion, and the reclamation of feminine power and voice.
This event invites you into a sacred space for personal reflection, heart-centered healing, and intuitive awakening through guided meditation, sound healing, journaling, and gentle ceremony. Whether you’re familiar with her story or meeting her for the first time, this experience is a chance to embody her archetypal energy and draw inspiration from her resilience, grace, and spiritual wisdom.
Event Highlights:
Guided Meditation: A heart-opening journey to connect with the energy of Mary Magdalene and awaken your own inner wisdom.
Sound Healing: Rest into the soothing vibrations of crystal singing bowls, gongs, and chimes to support emotional release and energetic alignment.
Reflective Journaling: Receive prompts inspired by the themes of love, voice, and sacred service to guide your personal reflection.
Sacred Ceremony: Participate in a gentle ritual to honor Mary Magdalene’s legacy and call in the Divine Feminine within you.
Aromatherapy & Crystals: Enjoy a curated selection of essential oils and stones —such as rose, frankincense, and pink tourmaline.
Benefits:
Heart Healing: Release heaviness and reconnect with compassion, devotion, and love.
Empowerment: Reclaim your voice, your truth, and your inner knowing.
Spiritual Connection: Deepen your relationship with sacred feminine energy and divine guidance.
Restoration: Leave feeling nourished, centered, and inspired.