Why is mary magdalene a saint

She is the author of the book "Wake Up to Wonder. Mary Magdalene , the patron saint of women, was a close friend and disciple of Jesus Christ who lived during the 1st century in Galilee then part of the ancient Roman Empire and now part of Israel. Saint Mary Magdalene is one of the most famous women of the Bible.

She was dramatically transformed during her life from a person who was possessed by demons to someone who became a close friend of the person whom Christians believe was God himself. Mary Magdalene is that patron saint of women, converts to Christianity, people who enjoy contemplating God's mysteries, people who are persecuted for their piety, people who are penitent about their sins, people who struggle with sexual temptation, apothecaries, glove makers, hairdressers, perfume makers, pharmacists, reformed prostitutes, tanners, and various places and churches worldwide.

Mary Magdalene is most famous for being an eyewitness to the most important miracles of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ's death on the cross. Mary was one of a group of people present as Jesus was crucified, and she was the first person to encounter Jesus after his resurrection, the Bible says. Mark mentions that Mary was the first human being to see the resurrected Jesus on the first Easter :. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.

Before meeting Jesus, Mary had suffered both spiritually and physically from evil that was tormenting her. Luke mentions that Jesus had healed Mary by exorcising seven demons from her, and describes how she had then joined a group of people following Jesus and supporting his ministry work:. Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.

The Twelve [disciples] were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary called Magdalene from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. The tradition of using eggs to celebrate Easter began soon after Jesus was resurrected since eggs were already a natural symbol of new life.

Often, ancient Christians would hold eggs in their hands as they proclaimed "Christ is risen! Christian tradition says that when Mary met the Roman emperor Tiberius Caesar at a banquet, she held up a plain egg and told him: "Christ is risen! The emperor laughed and told Mary that the idea of Jesus Christ rising from the dead was as unlikely as the egg she held turning red in her hands.

But the egg did turn a bright shade of red while Tiberius Caesar was still speaking. That miracle caught the attention of everyone at the banquet, which gave Mary the opportunity to share the Gospel message with everyone there. During the later years of her life, Mary lived in a cave called Sainte-Baume in France, so she could spend most of her time in spiritual contemplation. Tradition says that angels came to her every day to give her Communion in the cave and that angels miraculously transported her from the cave to the chapel of St.

Maximin, where she received the last sacraments from a priest before dying at age There is also debate over if Mary Magdalene is the same unnamed women, a sinner, who weeps and washes Jesus' feet with her hair in the Gospel of John. Scholars are skeptical this is the same person.

Despite the scholarly dispute over her background, what she did in her subsequent life, after meeting Jesus, is much more significant. She was certainly a sinner whom Jesus saved, giving us an example of how no person is beyond the saving grace of God. During Jesus' ministry, it is believed that Mary Magdalene followed him, part of a semi-permanent entourage who served Jesus and his Disciples.

Mary likely watched the crucifixion from a distance along with the other women who followed Christ during His ministry. Mary was present when Christ rose from the dead, visiting his tomb to anoint his body only to find the stone rolled away and Christ, very much alive, sitting at the place they laid Him. She was the first witness to His resurrection. After the death of Christ, a legend states that she remained among the early Christians. After fourteen years, she was allegedly put into a boat by Jews, along with several other saints of the early Church, and set adrift without sails or oars.

The boat landed in southern France, where she spent the remaining years of her life living in solitude, in a cave. Mary Magdalene's feast day is July She is the patroness of converts, repentant sinners, sexual temptation, pharmacists, tanners and women, and many other places and causes.

Copyright Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. She stood at the foot of the cross, seemingly unafraid of what her love for him could mean for her own safety. Her priority was her God.

When she found the empty tomb, she ran to tell the apostles that the body of the Lord was missing. Later, Jesus appeared to her as she was weeping, so that she would know His body had not been stolen, but rather, He risen from the dead! Mary Magdalene was the first person that Christ appeared to after His resurrection.

After this encounter, St. Mary Magdalene went to inform the apostles that the Lord had truly been raised. The life of St. There are legends and stories speculating about the life of St. Mary Magdalene up to her death — some of which claim she spent her final years in a cave in the wilderness, praying and fasting.

Others state that she, along with other Christians who were exiled for their religious beliefs, set sail in the Mediterranean, and landed in France.

Mary Magdalene is the patron saint of contemplative life, converts, hairstylists, penitents, perfume makers, and women. In art, St. Mary Magdalene is often shown wearing fine clothing, and may be holding a container of perfume or ointment.

She also can be pictured with a vase of spices symbolizing her visit to the tomb of Christ to anoint his body on the morning of the resurrection. Saint Mary Magdalene, woman of many sins, who by conversion became the beloved of Jesus, thank you for your witness that Jesus forgives through the miracle of love. You, who already possess eternal happiness in His glorious presence, please intercede for me, so that some day I may share in the same everlasting joy.

Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed of all our infirmities and know you in the power of his endless life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us. Saint Mary Magdalene, Pray for us. Who washed His feet with your tears, Pray for us. Who dried them with your hair, Pray for us.

Who covered them with kisses, Pray for us. Who was vindicated by Jesus before the proud Pharisee, Pray for us. Who from Jesus received the pardon of your sins, Pray for us. Who before darkness was restored to light, Pray for us. Mirror of penance, Pray for us. Disciple of Our Lord, Pray for us. Wounded with the love of Christ, Pray for us. Most dear to the Heart of Jesus, Pray for us. Constant woman, Pray for us. Last at the Cross of Jesus, Pray for us.

First at His tomb, Pray for us.