Today we celebrate St. Mary Magdalene!

St. Mary Magdalene is honored by the Church in both the East and the West as the first witness of the Lord’s Resurrection and the first evangelist, reverenced with deep gratitude for her love of Christ and her mission to announce what she has seen. She is also remembered as a witness of Divine Mercy and as an apostle of the apostles, because the Risen Lord entrusted her with bringing the message to the disciples. 

In the General Roman Calendar, her celebration was raised by the Holy See to the rank of Feast (while keeping the same day), so her feast is observed on 22 July.   

In the Gospel, Mary Magdalene’s story is marked by fidelity that refuses to give up: she goes to the tomb at dawn, returns because she is not convinced, and weeps while seeking the Lord. Then, in a profoundly personal moment, she is called by name—“Mary!”—and recognizes the Risen Christ; her grief is turned into missionary joy as she goes to proclaim to others what she has encountered. For this reason, the Church presents her not only as a model of love and perseverance, but also as a guide to hope and conversion: when the Master speaks her name, everything changes, and she becomes the first to announce the truth of the Resurrection.

Patron saint of..

St. Mary Magdalene is invoked as the patron of penitents—the one whose life witnesses to repentance and conversion—reflecting her profound turning back to God.

If you are in the spiritual battle working towards liberation and deliverance, St. Mary Magdalene is a great friend to have. Jesus delivered her from 7 demons!

She is also commonly listed as the patron saint of hairdressers, based on the traditional image of her using her hair to wipe and anoint Christ’s feet, which connects her to beauty, transformation, and devoted service. 

Call upon St. Mary Magdalene