ST. MARY MAGDALENE, DISCIPLE OF THE LORD

First Century

FEAST JULY 22

Mary, from Magdala in Galilee, was a disciple of Jesus who used her wealth, to help support him and his followers. The Gospel of Luke also says Mary was the woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons and that she was present at his crucifixion and burial. In all four Gospels, Mary was the first witness to the Resurrection and carried that news to the others; because of this, St. Augustine called her "apostola apostolorum" the apostle to the apostles. Traditions that identified Mary as a prostitute orÿpenitent sinner are now discounted.