Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene has been one of the most misunderstood and most rehabilitated figures in Christian history. For centuries, Western tradition conflated her with the sinful woman who anointed Jesus' feet and with Mary of Bethany. Pope Gregory the Great popularised this identification in the sixth century, and it persisted until the modern era, when scholars and the Church itself clarified that the Gospels do not support this conflation. In 2016, Pope Francis elevated her feast day to the rank of an apostolic feast — the same rank as the male apostles.

What the Gospels do tell us is striking enough. Luke records that Jesus cast seven demons from her, after which she became one of the women who followed him and provided for his ministry from their own means. She was present at the crucifixion when most male disciples had fled. She went to the tomb at dawn on Easter Sunday to anoint the body. And she was the first person to whom the risen Christ appeared, commissioning her to go and tell the brothers — earning her the ancient title Apostle to the Apostles.

Mary Magdalene's story is about transformation and fidelity. Delivered from torment, she devoted her life to following Christ — and her faithfulness was rewarded with the privilege of being the first witness of the Resurrection. She reminds us that encounter with Christ is always personal, always transformative, and that the most important messages are often entrusted to those the world considers least.