The letter promulgating the feast explains the Holy Father’s decision: “The decision is situated in the current ecclesial context, which calls upon us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of women, the new evangelization and the greatness of the mystery of divine mercy. It was St. John Paul II who dedicated great attention not only to the importance of women in the very mission of Christ and the Church, but also, and with special emphasis, to the peculiar function of St. Mary Magdalene as the first witness of the Risen Christ and the first messenger who announced to the apostles the resurrection of the Lord. This importance remains in today's Church – as shown by the current commitment to a new evangelization – which seeks to welcome, without distinction, men and women of any race, people, language and nation, to proclaim to them the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage and to offer them the wonders of God's salvation. St. Mary Magdalene is an example of true and authentic evangelization, that is, an evangelizer who proclaims the joyful central message of Easter. The Holy Father Francis has taken this decision precisely in the context of the Jubilee of Mercy to stress the importance of this women, who shows great love for Christ and was very dear to Christ"
Beautiful words for us to reflect upon today.
Up and down the centuries Mary Magdalene has been called the Apostle to the Apostles. She wasn’t one of the twelve apostles, of course, and she is not regarded as a bishop at any point by the Church, but she is called Apostle to the Apostles as the first witness who saw the risen Christ, and as the first messenger who announced the Lord’s resurrection to the Twelve Apostles; as the Opening Prayer stated: God’s Son “entrusted Mary Magdalene before all others with announcing the great joy of the Resurrection.”
In raising the rank of St. Mary Magdalene’s feast, the Holy Father certainly wants this feast to inspire us to consider our own role as apostles, evangelizers, joyful proclaimers of the Lord’s resurrection. And the letter of promulgation roots that identity in that two-fold realization: showing love for Christ and being dear to Christ. As the Song of Songs sings so sweetly: I belong to my beloved and my beloved belongs to me
On one hand, as we grow in love for Christ, we want to tell people about him—to tell people about our beloved, shouting it from the rooftops.. Mary Magdalane’s life was change by the Lord, she loved him deeply—not romantically, as some of the Hollywood movies would put it, but a love that changes us to our core.
On the other, we come to realize in the Christian life, that we are dearly loved by Christ. The experience of being loved is what changes us. We want to adhere to the moral life, we want to do great things for the Lord, because we are loved, and want to present our best selves, to the God who loves us.
The life that is changed by love is the most powerful instrument of evangelization, thereby making St. Mary Magdalene one of the greatest saints of the Church, a model for us all, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That women of faith may continue to bless the Church through their sharing of spiritual gifts.
For all women trapped in sin, especially, for the deliverance of all women from prostitution.
That young people may, through the intercession of St. Mary Magdalene, be preserved from evil, and discover the great joy of loving and being loved by Christ.
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of human trafficking, natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for the unborn, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Hear Our Prayers, O Lord, and through the intercession of St. Mary Magdalene, free us from all that keeps us from the love of Christ. Through the same Christ Our Lord.
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