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 6: Mary Magdalene, to Whom Angels Spoke
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Scripture: John 20: 11 – 13
But Mary [Magdalene] stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”
Reflection:
St. Mary Magdalene must have been devastated again to find Jesus’ body missing and the tomb empty when she returned after the Sabbath. But then, angels appeared and spoke with her! Although the Bible may make it seem like there were angels everywhere in her time, if you consider all the accounts of their interactions with humanity, angels didn’t appear to just anybody. God sent His angels to speak with people who were open to the divine, people of faith, who spent time in prayer; people who turned to God for guidance. St. Mary Magdalene must have been very connected with the divine, as she was able to speak with angels while she was awake. Even St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin, only spoke with angels in his dreams. St. Mary Magdalene believed in God, believed He could speak to her through angels, and when she saw them in the empty tomb she asked the most important question she could, “where is my Lord?”
Prayer:
St. Mary Magdalene, you were open to the divine; you were receptive to hearing God speak to you, even through angels. Pray for us, that we may also be open to hearing the Risen Lord and following his guidance in our lives.
We offer this Novena today for all those seeking guidance, that they may hear the Spirit whispering through the voices of those around them.
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.
