Saint Mary Magdalene, often called "the Apostle to the Apostles", is an emblematic figure of the New Testament, known for her deep love for Jesus Christ and her radical transformation after her encounter with the Saviour.
Mary Magdalene is mentioned in the Gospels as one of Jesus' most devoted disciples. Originally from Magdala, a town near Lake Tiberias in Galilee, she is described as a woman who was freed from seven demons by Jesus, which marked the beginning of a profound spiritual transformation in her life.
Under Jesus' guidance, Mary Magdalene became a devoted disciple, accompanying Christ on his travels and actively participating in his evangelical mission. She is present alongside the Virgin Mary and a few other faithful women at crucial moments in Christ's life, including his crucifixion, where she courageously remains close to the Cross.
After Jesus' crucifixion and burial, Mary Magdalene plays a central role in the story of the Resurrection. According to the Gospels, she is the first person to whom Jesus appears after his Resurrection, entrusting her with the mission of announcing the good news to the disciples. "Go to my brothers, and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God," he tells her (John 20:17).
After the Resurrection, Mary Magdalene becomes a fiery evangelist, travelling and preaching the word of God. She is often depicted as a woman of prayer, penance and deep love for Jesus, symbolising the possibility of conversion, redemption and spiritual renewal.
Although the details of Mary Magdalene's life after the Resurrection are less documented, Christian tradition and apocryphal texts suggest that she continued to live a life of asceticism and contemplation, bearing witness to the transforming power of God's love and mercy.
Saint Mary Magdalene is venerated in many Christian traditions as a patron saint of repentant sinners, those seeking conversion and contemplatives. Her life is a powerful reminder of God's immeasurable love, the grace of forgiveness and the possibility of personal transformation through a personal encounter with the risen Christ.
She is commemorated on 22 July in the Catholic liturgical calendar and is a deeply loved and respected spiritual figure by the faithful around the world.
