July 22 | Saint Mary Magdalene

Welcome, young history buffs and curious minds, to My Daily Saint, the podcast that digs deep into the incredible lives of the saints, those remarkable people who shaped history and continue to inspire us today. Forget dusty old portraits and boring stories. Today, imagine being trapped in utter darkness, your life taken over by a terrifying invisible force. According to the ancient records, this woman didn't just have one demon, she had seven demons cast out of her. That sounds like the start of a blockbuster horror movie, right?

Today, we are talking about the ultimate story of loyalty, transformation, and courage. Saint Mary Magdalene. So, who exactly was Mary Magdalene? First off, her name comes from her hometown, a Galilean town called Magdala. If you were to look at classic paintings of her, her attributes, or the symbols she is usually painted with to help you identify her, are a skull and an alabaster box of ointment. But her actual identity has a bit of a historical mystery attached to it. Catholic tradition holds some things about her with absolute certainty, but scholars still debate some of her backstory.

Some believe she is the exact same person as the sinful woman from the Bible who famously anointed the feet of Christ, and they also think she might be the sister of Martha and Lazarus. However, other scholars completely disagree and believe those were three entirely distinct, separate individuals.

But here is what we do know for sure. Jesus Christ completely changed her life when he cast those seven demons out of her, and her response? Absolute, rock-solid loyalty. Catholic tradition holds with total certainty that Mary Magdalene accompanied Christ throughout his entire ministry. She wasn't just a casual follower, she was a true, dedicated disciple. When times got impossibly hard, she didn't run away. When Jesus was crucified, Mary Magdalene was one of the brave women who stood right there at the foot of the cross.

Think about how terrifying that must have been, yet she refused to leave his side. Which brings us to Easter morning. After Jesus died, Mary went to his tomb, but when she got there, she found that it was completely empty. She didn't instantly know a miracle had happened. Instead, she wept because she honestly believed that someone had stolen the body of Christ. While she was standing there crying, a man appeared to her. It was Christ himself. But in her deep grief, she wasn't able to recognize him at first.

Then, he did one simple thing. He called her by her name. The moment he spoke her name, Mary instantly recognized him. Can you imagine the joy? She had the beautiful privilege of a profound encounter with Christ after he had risen. But she didn't just keep it to herself. She immediately returned to the other disciples to announce that he had indeed risen from the dead. Because she was the very first person to bring this incredible news to the apostles, she is often referred to as the Apostle to the Apostles.

Mary's legacy is so huge that in 2016, Pope Francis actually raised her memorial to the level of a liturgical feast day, which means that her feast day is celebrated on the exact same level as those of the original apostles. Her remains are said to be buried in Saint-Maximin in southern France.

Mary Magdalene is the patron saint of penitent sinners and converts. Because she was known for weeping at the tomb, she is the patron of people ridiculed for their piety. Because of the alabaster box of ointment she is associated with, she is the patron of perfumeries, perfumers, and pharmacists. She is also the patron of the contemplative life, women, and, believe it or not, glove makers and hairstylists.

This week, be a Mary Magdalene kind of friend. When one of your friends is going through a hard time, or when it isn't popular to stand by them, don't run away. Stay by their side. Also, don't be afraid to share good news and hope with the people around you. Sometimes, just calling someone by their name and being there for them, just like Jesus did for Mary, can change their entire world. Thank you for joining us on My Daily Saint. We look forward to sharing another incredible story of faith and courage with you tomorrow.