The Apostles of the Resurrection invite you to pray with us a Novena to St. Mary Magdalene,
our Patron Saint, and the Apostle to the Apostles, whose Feast Day is July 22.
Day 1: Mary Magdalene, from whom Seven Demons were Cast Out
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Scripture: Luke 8: 1-3
Soon afterward [Jesus] went on through one town and village after another, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered to them out of their own resources.
Reflection:
St. Mary Magdalene’s story has been conflated over the years with that of other Mary’s in the Bible. She is not the sister of Martha and Lazarus, nor is she the woman caught in adultery, or the Mary who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears. St. Mary Magdalene was a woman afflicted in some way, with “seven demons”, who was healed by Jesus or his disciples. We aren’t sure what Luke means by “seven demons”, it could have been a physical ailment, or perhaps a mental illness, or perhaps actual demons, but whatever this phrase means we know that St. Mary Magdalene was a woman in distress who experienced the healing power of Jesus. How powerful and humbling must that experience have been! To suddenly be cured of this ailment which she probably thought would be with her all her life. To unexpectedly have a whole bright new future ahead of her, when before all had been darkness and pain. St. Mary Magdalene must have thought to herself, what now? Now that I am free, what do I do with my life? She chose to follow Jesus.
Prayer:
St. Mary Magdalene, you were a person afflicted, locked in dark and pain, just as we often feel in our lives. Help us to believe that Jesus can heal us, can bring us into the light and open to us a beautiful new world. Pray for us, that we may turn to God in our afflictions, and that He will look with mercy on us and heal us, that we may be inwardly renewed.
We offer this Novena today for all those suffering from afflictions, that God may heal them according to His will and open to them a bright new future.
Litany to Saint Mary Magdalene:
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, who art one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
Saint Mary Magdalene
From whom seven demons were cast out, pray for us.
To whom many sins were forgiven, pray for us.
Inflamed with the ardors of charitable love, pray for us.
Very pleasing to the Lord, pray for us.
Most dear to Jesus, pray for us.
Disciple of the Lord, pray for us.
Who faithfully remained at the Cross, pray for us.
When the other disciples had fled, pray for us.
Who followed Jesus even to the Tomb, pray for us.
Who went to anoint his broken body, pray for us.
To whom the Angels spoke, pray for us.
You who first among the disciples were chosen to see the risen Christ, pray for us.
Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us.
Protectoress of the Order of Preachers, pray for us.
Gentle helper of penitents, pray for us.
So that we may merit to share one day the joy of being in His everlasting presence, pray for us.
Patroness of the Apostles of the Resurrection, pray for us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, forgive us Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, hear us Lord,
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have pity on us Lord.
Pray for us, Saint Mary Magdalene,
That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.
