Category:Saint Mary Magdalene

Memorial on July 22

Born: Date unknown Place unknown Died: Date unknown Place: possibly Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, Ephesus, Asia Minor Honored in: Eastern Orthodoxy Roman Catholic Church Anglican Communion Lutheranism other Protestant churches Bahá'í Faith Feast: July 22 Attributes: Western: alabaster box of ointment Eastern: container of ointment (as a myrrhbearer), or holding a red egg (symbol of the resurrection); embracing the feet of Christ after the Resurrection Patronage: Apothecaries; Kawit, Cavite; Atrani, Italy; Casamicciola Terme, Ischia; contemplative life; converts; glove makers; hairdressers; penitent sinners; people ridiculed for their piety; perfumeries; pharmacists; reformed prostitutes; sexual temptation; tanners; women

---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Mary - Hebrew Miriam. Mary Magdalene, i.e., Mary of Magdala, a town on the western shore of the Lake of Tiberias. She is for the first time noticed in Luke 8:3 as one of the women who "ministered to Christ of their substance." Their motive was that of gratitude for deliverances He had wrought for them. Out of Mary were cast seven demons. Gratitude to her great Deliverer prompted her to become His follower. These women accompanied Him also on His last journey to Jerusalem (Matthew 27:55; Mark 15:41; Luke 23:55). They stood near the Cross. There Mary remained till all was over, and the Body was taken down and laid in Joseph of Arimathaea's tomb. Again, in the earliest dawn of the first day of the week she, with Salome and Mary the mother of James (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2), came to the sepulchre, bringing with them sweet spices, that they might anoint the Body of Jesus. They found the sepulchre empty, but saw the "vision of angels" (Matthew 28:5). She hastens to tell Peter and John, (John 20:1, John 20:2), and again immediately returns to the sepulchre. There she lingers thoughtfully, weeping at the door of the tomb. The risen Lord appears to her, but at first she knows Him not. His utterance of her name "Mary" recalls her to consciousness, and she utters the joyful, reverent cry, "Rabboni." She would fain cling to Him, but He forbids her, saying, "Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father." This is the last record regarding Mary of Magdala, who now returned to Jerusalem.