St. Mary Magdalene is known as one of the women who followed Jesus aside from the Twelve. Her title “Magdalene” is most likely refers to her hometown of Magdala, which is a fishing town in Galilee.

She is introduced in the Gospel of Luke as the woman who had seven demons cast out of her. After she was liberated by Jesus, she became one of his supporters, actively contributing to the missionary work of Jesus through her personal resources and wealth.

She followed Jesus all the way from His public ministry, to the foot of the Cross. Mary Magdalene did not waver in her faith, and up until now, she remains as an example of what it means to have steadfast faith in Christ Jesus. As a result, she was privileged to have been the first one to see Jesus risen from the dead. All four Gospels record this account.

Since she was the first, she also received the divine mandate to “go and tell the others that Jesus has risen” Because of this mission entrusted toher by Jesus Christ Himself, she earned the nickname “Apostle to the Apostles”. The term “Apostle” is derived from the Greek apóstolos (ἀπόστολος), meaning “one who is sent.” Thus, she was sent to become the herald of Christ’s Resurrection.

Contrary to popular belief, she was not a prostitute. This misconception was brought about when Pope Gregory I conflated her with the sinful woman described in the Gospel of Luke.

Pope Francis elevated St. Mary Magdalene to a Feast in 2016, to emphasize her great role in Salvation History as the first herald of the Resurrection.

Like Mary Magdalene, every Christian is called to become heralds of Christ’s Good News: that death has no longer power over humanity– for Christ has broken the bars of death, and we who follow Him will also one day share in his glorious Resurrection.