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 3: Mary Magdalene, Who Stood by Jesus at the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Scripture: John 19: 25
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Reflection:
St. Mary Magdalene stood by Jesus, even while He hung, dying, on the cross. When many of the disciples and other followers left his side, either out of fear or pain, she and a few others stayed. The Ministry of Presence is one of the most important we can offer to those who are suffering; to simply be there, to experience the suffering with the person and to stand by them through it all. It can also be one of the most difficult ministries to do, as often you are unable to do anything to relieve their suffering, or to offer hope that the suffering will end in this earthly life. Yet St. Mary Magdalene, and so many others throughout history and living today, still fulfill this Ministry of Presence. She could not fight the soldiers who crucified Jesus. She could not take him down from the cross, or stop the crowd from taunting him. But she could be there, could pray for Him and could show Him that he was not alone.
Prayer:
St. Mary Magdalene, you showed us how to be present to one another, to support each other even when we cannot do anything to relieve the other’s suffering. Pray for us, that we can accept this challenging ministry, accept that we cannot always fix things, and help us to be open to being God’s instruments through our presence.
We offer this Novena today for all who offer the Ministry of Presence, that God may show them the value of their ministry and work through them in all they offer.
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.
