Our Patroness : St Mary Magdalen
St Mary Magdalen's Feast Day is on 22nd July.
In the New Testament, St Mary Magdalen is mentioned among the women who accompanied Jesus and ministered to Him. (Luke 8:2-3).
It is also said that she had seven devils cast out of her. (Mark 16:9) - (Luke 8:2).
She is also named as standing at the foot of the cross at Jesus's crucifixion. (Mark 15:40);(John 19:25);
John States that finally, on the morning of Easter Sunday she goes to the tomb and finds that the stone has been rolled away. (John 20:1-18)
She is the first witness to The Resurrection. She sees a figure whom she thinks is the gardener. He asks her why she is crying and she replies, "Sir If you have taken him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will go away." Jesus replies by speaking her name, whereupon she recognizes him and exclaims in Hebrew "Rabbouni!" (teacher). he tells her not to hold onto him but to go and tell the disciples.
Luke states that Mary Magdalen, Joanna and Mary the mother of James and other women go to the tomb and are told by two men in dazzling clothes, not to look for the living among the dead and to go and remind the disciples that Jesus told them that he would rise again on the third day (Luke 24:1-12).
Mark states that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalen, from whom he had cast out seven demons (Mark 16:9-11).
Matthew (Matthew 28:1-10) says that After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. An angel of the Lord appeared on the tomb stone and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
A prayer to Saint Mary Magdalen
O glorious Saint Mary Magdalen, model of those who truly desire to follow Our Lord Jesus Christ, obtain for me the graces that will enable me to pour out my soul as sweet perfume upon the feet of my Saviour. You who mourned at the foot of the Cross and rejoiced at the Resurrection, intercede for me, for those who I now name and for all who worship in this church, dedicated in your name and to the Great Glory of God.
Amen