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 4: Mary Magdalene, Who Saw Jesus Placed in the Tomb
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 27: 59 – 61
Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
Reflection:
St. Mary Magdalene sat opposite the tomb and watched Joseph of Arimathea place Jesus’ body inside and seal the tomb. She must have been overwhelmed by grief, confused by all that had happened, and feeling lost now that their leader, Jesus, had seemingly left them with no hope. She followed His body to the tomb and now sat there, watching, maybe waiting? Was she hoping it was all a mistake, that he would suddenly get up and come back to them? For all her saintly qualities, St. Mary Magdalene was a human like us, and she got stuck in her human perspective which told her the tomb was the end. All the promise and brightness of the future was gone again, all her hard work in supporting Jesus’ ministry seemed to be for nothing. We know that the story does not end here, but it can be helpful to pause and reflect on these dark moments too, so that the brightness to come is all the more powerful!
Prayer:
St. Mary Magdalene, you experienced the bitter hopelessness of grief that we have all felt when a loved one dies. Pray for us, that we may take the time to grieve, but that our grieving may bring us to a place of peace and hope.
We offer this Novena today for all those grieving the loss of a loved one, especially those overwhelmed by hopelessness.
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.
