Mary Magdalene’s Feast Day

Danielle Baker
Jul 20
5 min read

Mary Magdalene: The One Who Stayed, The One Who Remembers

July 22nd is Mary Magdalene’s Feast Day, a day that, for many of us, is less about the Church calendar and more about remembering what was buried and reclaiming what was buried.

She was called a prostitute. She was cast aside. For centuries, her name carried the weight of shame. But underneath all of that? A story of love, leadership, and spiritual strength.

How Her Name Got Twisted

Back in 591 AD, Pope Gregory stood before the Church and labeled Mary Magdalene a sinner. He merged her story with that of two other women: Mary of Bethany and an unnamed woman who anointed Jesus’ feet. It was a mistake, but it stuck.

That single sermon shaped over a thousand years of misrepresentation. It wasn’t until 1969 that the Church officially corrected the record. And in 2016, Pope Francis recognized Mary Magdalene as the "Apostle to the Apostles."

Long overdue. And still not enough.

Because she was never just a follower. She was a teacher. A witness. A woman who understood something deep and enduring.

What the Texts Actually Tell Us

Mary Magdalene is mentioned in all four canonical gospels. She is:

The first to arrive at the tomb.
The first to see the risen Christ.
The one instructed to go and tell the others.

The Seven Sins — Or Seven Powers?

Luke 8:2 mentions that Jesus cast seven demons out of her. Later, this became associated with the so-called seven deadly sins, turning Mary’s humanity into something shameful.

But many modern scholars, mystics, and seekers believe something else: that these “sins” may actually represent spiritual powers , parts of ourselves that are misunderstood, suppressed, or distorted.

Here’s a different way of seeing them:

What tradition called sin	What it might actually be
Pride	Dignity, sacred self-worth
Greed	The longing to receive, to have enough
Lust	The beauty of desire, sensual aliveness
Envy	A deep yearning for belonging and connection
Gluttony	The ability to enjoy and embody life fully
Wrath	Holy anger, boundaries, protection of what’s sacred
Sloth	Rest, stillness, space to listen deeply

What if healing isn't about purging these parts of us — but about honoring them? Reclaiming them?

Her Lost Gospel

The Gospel of Mary was found in a 5th-century Coptic codex in the late 1800s. In it, she shares the teachings Jesus gave her privately, about the soul, freedom from fear, and the illusion of sin.

But much of it is missing. Pages 1-6 and 11-14 are missing are gone, torn out. What survives is still potent! Full FREE Gospel here

Then Mary rose up. She embraced them all, kissing them tenderly and began to speak to her brothers and sisters: “There is no need to remain stuck in sorrow, grief, and doubt! For his Grace will be with you all; it will guide you, comfort you, shelter, and protect you. Rather, let us be thankful and praise his greatness, for he has brought us together and prepared us for this. Through him, we too can become fully human.”

🌹 Symbols of Mary Magdalene & What They Represent

Symbol	Meaning	Altar Ideas
Red or Rose	Represents love, life force, devotion, sacred feminine, blood & passion	Red cloth, rose petals, a red candle, rose quartz, rose oil
The Rose	Her spiritual heart, divine mystery, unfolding inner truth	A fresh rose, dried roses, rose water, a rose mandala
Alabaster Jar	The vessel used to anoint Jesus with oil (Luke 7:37) — symbol of devotion	A small jar or essential oil bottle, especially with spikenard or myrrh
Egg	A symbol of resurrection and the feminine mystery — legend says she held up an egg to Rome as a sign of new life	Painted egg, small wooden egg, a crystal egg shape
Mirror	Reflects the inner world, self-knowing, and seeing beyond illusion	Small hand mirror, mirror shard, or silver circle
Water	Purification, emotion, tears, baptism, the flow of the sacred feminine	Bowl of water, shell, sacred spring water
Spikenard / Myrrh	Sacred oils used for anointing — representing healing, burial, and rebirth	A drop of anointing oil, incense resin, or diffuser
Flame or Candle	Her unwavering presence, inner fire, and truth-seeing	Red, white, or gold candle
Book or Scroll	Hidden teachings, her gospel, feminine wisdom	A book of sacred texts, small scroll, or written prayer

🕯️ Altar Ideas to Honor Her on July 22 or Anytime

Anchor with a red cloth or scarf to call in the energy of devotion and the womb.
Place a rose at the center — one that opens slowly over time.
Add a small jar of oil or roll-on blend with rose, myrrh, or spikenard.
Light a red or white candle to represent her unwavering presence.
Include a mirror or egg to symbolize rebirth and seeing beyond appearances.
Write a prayer or journal entry and place it beneath the candle.
Add a bowl of water to reflect emotion, tears, and purification.
Bring your own sacred object that reminds you of courage, truth, or staying close to love — even when misunderstood.

A Simple Ritual for Her Feast Day

You’ll need:

A red or rose-colored candle
A fresh rose or a few drops of rose oil
A small bowl of water
A journal or notebook

When you're ready:

Light the candle. Let it symbolize the flame that never went out — even when her name was buried.
Hold the rose or anoint your heart with the oil.
Dip your fingers in the water and place your hand on your heart or womb.
Whisper:Mary, woman of fire and tenderness, help me remember.
Ask yourself: Is there a part of me that’s been shamed or silenced? What if it’s actually sacred?
Journal on this prompt: What part of me has been misnamed?
Close with this prayer:

I honor the one who stayed.I reclaim what was called too much.I rise in remembrance.Love is my path and I choose it again.

Let the candle burn safely or blow it out with gratitude.

A Quiet Inner Practice

Find a few moments of stillness. Sit or lie down. Place one hand on your heart, one on your belly.

Breathe slowly. Gently. Ask:

What part of me has been misunderstood or labeled “too much,” and what sacred truth might it actually hold?
Where in my life have I silenced myself to be accepted — and what does my soul want to say now?
What does devotion mean to me — not in performance, but in presence? What am I truly devoted to?
If I could meet Mary Magdalene face to face, what would I ask her? What might she say in return?
Where have I stayed — in love, in truth, in integrity — even when it was hard? What did I learn there?

No need to force an answer. Just listen. Be with whatever arises.

Want to Go Deeper? Here’s What I Recommend

Mary Magdalene Revealed by Meggan Watterson — fiery, vulnerable, raw, and real
The Meaning of Mary Magdalene by Cynthia Bourgeault — deeply researched, mystical, clear
The Gospel of Mary of Magdala by Karen L. King — a scholarly translation and interpretation
The Magdalene Mysteries by Seren and Azra Bertrand,