St. Mary Magdalene
Feast day: July 22
Mary Magdalene was a devoted follower of Jesus during his earthly ministry and was a model of penitence. She is believed to have come from Magdala, a town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, near Tiberias. The Gospel of Luke says Mary Magdalene was the woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons. She accompanied Christ and the apostles in Galilee and was present at the crucifixion. Mary Magdalene discovered the empty tomb with the other holy women on Easter morning and was the first person to encounter the risen Christ. She is patron of converts and penitent sinners.
Collect
O God, whose Only Begotten Son
entrusted Mary Magdalene before all others
with announcing the great joy of the Resurrection,
grant, we pray,
that through her intercession and example
we may proclaim the living Christ
and come to see him reigning in your glory.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
