SAINT OF THE DAY · JULY 22

Who was Saint Mary Magdalene?

Saintly Editorial 2 min read
In short

Saint Mary Magdalene: First to see the risen Lord, steadfast in love. Lived first century. From Magdala in Galilee to Jerusalem. Disciple, witness, and evangelist. Patron of penitents and hairdressers. Apostle of the Apostles. Saintly remembers this saint on July 22.

  • Lived first century
  • From Magdala in Galilee to Jerusalem
  • Disciple, witness, and evangelist
  • Patron of penitents and hairdressers
  • Apostle of the Apostles

Who was Saint Mary Magdalene?

Luke names Mary Magdalene among the women whom Jesus had healed. Freed from seven demons, she accompanied him and helped support his ministry. Her story leads from that discipleship to the cross and the empty tomb.

Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to Jesus' tomb. John tells us it was still dark. She found the stone removed and ran to tell Peter and the other disciple. Her grief would soon meet an unexpected hope.

At dawn she stooped by the empty opening, tears blur in her eyes, yet a single word cuts through: Mary. She turns, and the man she thought was only a gardener becomes the Lord who knows her by name.

Without delay she runs back to the disciples, not first to argue but to announce what she has seen. In the garden light, she becomes commissioned, the Church’s memory of the first evangelist who carries Resurrection news to others.

Her heart is not spared confusion. She returns to the tomb, still grieving, heavy steps and stubborn hope. John shows her as persistent even when angels sit near, and her tears refuse to turn into certainty too quickly.

In that instant of recognition, her grief is transformed into trust. She does not grasp first, she listens first, and turns her whole life toward the One who calls. The Gospel makes her a witness, not a spectator.

Centuries later the Church still calls Mary Magdalene the first witness and the first evangelist of the Resurrection. A decree of the Church proposes her as a model, because love that clings to Christ can become mission for everyone.

What can we learn from Saint Mary Magdalene today?

  • Return to the Lord after disappointment, like Mary coming back at dawn.
  • Run with the good news, sharing one concrete sign of Christ’s life today.
  • Support someone serving others today, remembering Mary's faithful help for Jesus' ministry.

Mary Magdalene’s story keeps faith from becoming distant. She searches through tears, recognizes Christ by name, and becomes the first evangelist. Today her witness teaches us to cling to the Lord through disappointment and to speak Resurrection with the life we share.

When is the feast day of Saint Mary Magdalene?

Saintly remembers Saint Mary Magdalene on July 22, when the story above is the saint of the day in the app. Read how the Church declares someone a saint, or how to choose a patron saint.

Sources

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