I often find immense joy in looking deeply at the lives of the saints who grace our altars and inspire our faith. Today, I want to shine a bright light on a woman whose true legacy has been obscured by centuries of misunderstanding, but whose witness is absolutely foundational to who we are: St. Mary Magdalene.

Within our parish, she holds a place of distinct honor. Furthermore, as a friar of the Dominican Order (Order of Preachers, Independent), she has a profound, personal connection to my own ministry.

Let us dive into the historical truth of this incredible woman, clear away the myths, and celebrate why she matters so deeply to us today.

Dispelling the Myth: She Was Not a Prostitute

For centuries, Western tradition unfortunately conflated Mary Magdalene with other biblical figures, leading to the widespread belief that she was a reformed prostitute. This simply does not align with the Gospel accounts.

The misconception largely stems from a homily delivered by Pope Gregory the Great in the year 591, where he combined three distinct New Testament figures into one person:

• Mary of Magdala, from whom seven demons were cast out (Luke 8:2)
• Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (Luke 10:39)
• The unnamed “sinful woman” who anointed Jesus’ feet in Luke 7

The Gospels themselves never paint Mary Magdalene as a prostitute or a public sinner. Instead, they introduce her as a woman of independent means who, after being healed by Jesus, became one of His most prominent disciples and a crucial financial supporter of His ministry. It is time we fully shed the unbiblical labels and honor her for who she truly was: a faithful, courageous leader.

The Historical Facts: The First Witness of the Resurrection

When we stick strictly to the Scripture and early church history, Mary Magdalene’s true stature emerges. She was not a peripheral figure; she was at the very center of the Paschal Mystery.

• Unwavering Courage: When the male disciples fled in fear during the Passion, Mary Magdalene stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross alongside the Blessed Mother.
• The First Evangelist: On Easter morning, she was the very first person to encounter the Risen Christ.
• The Commission: Jesus specifically chose her to bear the news of the Resurrection to the hiding Apostles. Because of this divine commissioning, the early Church Fathers—most notably St. Thomas Aquinas—bestowed upon her the glorious title: Apostolorum Apostola (The Apostle to the Apostles).

Patroness of the Order of Preachers & The Symbol of the Cross

Why does Mary Magdalene hold such a massive place in my heart as a Dominican? Long before our order was formally founded by St. Dominic in the 13th century, Mary Magdalene was claimed as our patroness and protectress.

Dominicans are the Order of Preachers (OP). Our entire charism is built around going out into the world, proclaiming the Truth, and announcing the Good News of the Gospel. Mary Magdalene did exactly that. She did not keep the joy of the empty tomb to herself; she ran to announce it. She is the archetype of the Dominican vocation—contemplating the Lord and sharing the fruits of that contemplation with others.

This call to preach the absolute truth (Veritas) is visually anchors our identity. In our tradition, the Dominican cross—a beautiful cross floury, stylized with lily-like ends—is divided cleanly into black and white.

• The white represents purity, light, and the joy of Christ’s Resurrection.
• The black represents penance, sacrifice, and the mantle of humility worn while serving the world.

Mary Magdalene perfectly mirrors this beautiful emblem. Her sorrow at the foot of the Cross represents the black mantle of grief and penance, while her joy at the empty tomb represents the brilliant white light of the Resurrection that she was chosen to proclaim.

Celebrating the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene: July 22nd

In the Dominican tradition, July 22nd is not just a standard memorial—it is celebrated with the highest rank of liturgical joy. For centuries, the Order has sung special hymns, chanted proper responsories, and highlighted her specific role as the herald of grace.

In 2016, the wider Church formally elevated her liturgical date from a Memorial to a Feast, placing her on the same liturgical level as the male Apostles. When we gather at St. Michael’s on July 22nd, we honor her with:

1. The Singing of the Gloria: A joyful inclusion in the Mass that underscores her apostolic importance.
2. Special Intentions for Preachers: Praying for all who are called to voice the Gospel, asking that they receive her same unshakeable courage.
3. A Rededication to Truth: Remembering that the truth sets us free, and like Mary, we must be bold enough to speak it even when others are hiding in fear.

Why She Graces St. Michael’s Parish

At St. Michael’s, we cherish her as one of our pillar saints for a very specific reason: she embodies the radical hospitality and inclusivity of the Unified Old Catholic Church.

She reminds us that Christ calls everyone to ministry, breaking down traditional barriers. Her presence in our parish reminds us to look past the labels the world tries to pin on people, to seek the truth of every individual’s dignity, and to boldly proclaim the gift of life and family.

May we all have the fierce loyalty of Mary Magdalene to stand by Christ in difficult times, and her joyful courage to proclaim, “I have seen the Lord!”