We have a new feast! We have a new feast in the liturgical calendar!
Recognizing St. Mary Magdalene’s role as the first to witness Christ’s resurrection and as a “true and authentic evangelizer,” Pope Francis raised the July 22 memorial of St. Mary Magdalene to a feast on the church’s liturgical calendar.
July 22nd being changed from a memorial to a feast might not seem like a big deal, but really it is! Most remembrances and celebrations of individual saints are known as memorials. The designation feast is reserved for great events in Christian history and for the Apostle or saints of major significance. The commemoration of Mary Magdalene being raised to a feast “highlights the special mission of this woman who is an example and model for everyone in the church.”
In the article for the Vatican newspaper, Archbishop Arthur Roche wrote that in celebrating “an evangelist who proclaims the central joyous message of Easter,” St. Mary Magdalene’s feast day is a call for all Christians to “reflect more deeply on the dignity of women, the new evangelization and the greatness of the mystery of divine mercy.”
So, how are you going to celebrate this new feast? Maybe you will go to Mass or read scripture passages that tell about Mary Magdalene. Like this Apostle to the Apostles, maybe you will share the Good News with someone you meet or maybe you will give thanks to God and do well to love and serve Jesus. Whatever the case, you have about a month to figure out something to do to celebrate this new feast!
Quotes taken from www.catholicnews.com
Icon of Mary Magdelen Announcing
the Resurrection to the Apostles
Written by +Sister Mary Charles McGough, OSB
Ⓒ St. Scholastica Monastery
Duluth, Minnesota