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.
Day 2: Mary Magdalene, Disciple of Jesus
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 27: 50, 55 – 56
Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Reflection:
St. Mary Magdalene was a woman who embraced Jesus’ message early, who actually joined his followers on the road and travelled with them throughout Galilee. She must have been a woman of independent means, perhaps even a widow, as she apparently had her own resources which she could control, and which she decided to use to support Jesus’ ministry. She likely could have lived a comfortable life at home, particularly after she was healed. Instead, St. Mary Magdalene chose to follow this radical Jesus, to face an uncertain life on the road, never knowing if she would be arrested or driven out along with his followers. She must have had a tremendous faith to choose this rocky and narrow path, to proclaim the Good News to people who might not have wanted to hear it.
Prayer:
St. Mary Magdalene, you chose the difficult path of giving up your safe life and literally following Jesus, helping Him proclaim the Good News, even when that meant putting yourself in danger. Pray for us, that we may be courageous like you were, dying to ourselves so that Jesus’ message may be proclaimed through us.
We offer this Novena today for each of us, called to follow Jesus with our whole lives, that God may give us the grace and strength to follow His way.
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.
