Greetings! How are you doing today? On the celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 3, 2016 a decree on behalf of Pope Francis was issued in regards to elevating the liturgical celebration of St. Mary Magdalene from a Memorial to a Feast. Some of the text from that decree appears as follows:
“The Church, both in the East and in the West has always regarded Saint Mary Magdalene the first witness of the Lord’s resurrection and the first evangelist, and with the greatest reverence has always honored her although in diverse ways. Given that in our time the Church is called to reflect in a more profound way on the dignity of Woman, on the New Evangelization and on the greatness of the Mystery of Divine Mercy, it seemed right that the example of Saint Mary Magdalene might also fittingly be proposed to the faithful. In fact this woman, known as the one who loved Christ and who was greatly loved by Christ, and was called a “witness of Divine Mercy” by Saint Gregory the Great and an “apostle of the apostles” by Saint Thomas Aquinas, can now rightly be taken by the faithful as a model of women’s role in the Church. Therefore the Supreme Pontiff Pope Francis has established that from now on the celebration of Saint Mary Magdalene should be inscribed in the General Roman Calendar with the rank of Feast rather than Memorial as is presently the case.”
We ask for the prayerful intercession of St. Mary Magdalene that we too would bear witness to the suffering, death, and especially the Resurrection of Christ by our lives. May we be joyful apostles - that is to say “sent forth” as the word from Greek - to share the Good News with others so that they too can encounter the Risen Lord and experience His life-giving Mercy.
St. Mary Magdalene - Pray for us!