Feast of St. Mary Magdalen, Penitent

Mary Magdalen at the Tomb
When Christ gave the Holy Ghost to the Apostles, he bade them forgive sins as He Himself had done. To-day the liturgy recalls an ever memorable example of our Saviour’s mercy to penitents. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, is called Magdalen because she was from Magdela in Galilee. She was a sinner, but, touched by grace, came and cast herself at our Lord’s feet; this scandalised Simon the Pharisee, who would have repelled her…but Jesus received her mercifully, and gently accepted her proffered service, assuring her of an honoured place in His royal court.

Collect: May the prayers of blessed Mary Magdalen help us, O Lord: for it was in answer to them that Thou didst call her brother Lazarus, four days after death, back from the grave to life.

The Epistle of the day is from the Canticle of Canticles 3. 2-5; 8. 6-7 (look it up).

Gradual: Ps. 44.8 Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity. v Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.

Post Communion: Having received, O Lord, Thy precious Body and Blood, the one salutary medicine of our souls: may we, through the intercession of saint Mary Magdalen, be delivered from all evil.

Sancta Maria Magdalena. Ora pro nobis.