3 days ago

Many prayers and stories about St Mary Magdalene (her feast is today) emphasize her life before she encountered Jesus, often to the extent that her unique presence at significant times in his public ministry is ignored. The Preface of the Mass for her feast does the opposite, and reveals the beauty and strength of her devotion:

It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
to glorify you in all things, almighty Father,
whose mercy is not less than your power,
through Christ our Lord.

He appeared in the garden
and revealed himself to Mary Magdalene,
who had loved him in life,
witnessed him dying on the Cross,
sought him as he lay in the tomb,
and was the first to adore him, newly risen from the dead.

He honored her with the office of being an apostle to the Apostles,
so that the good news of new life
might reach the ends of the earth.
And so, Lord, with all the Angels and Saints,
we, too, give you thanks, as in exultation we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts… ... See MoreSee Less

Photo