sacred treasures, sacred time
The altar in Holy Family Chapel proclaims the Redeemer through the maternal symbol of the pelican, who wounds herself with her beak to feed her young with her blood.
St. Mary Magdalene: Apostle to the Apostles
Feast Day: July 22
Mary Magdalene is often called the “apostle to the apostles.” It was Mary Magdalene who went broken hearted to the tomb. As the others hid in fear of being discovered as followers of the crucified Jesus, Mary did not hesitate to go to the place where Jesus lay so she could mourn. Jesus revealed himself to Mary first and so it was a woman’s voice to first proclaim Jesus risen from the dead.
The apostles were skeptical to say the least upon hearing her news. Who could blame them? Any reasonable person would have found it hard to believe. But perhaps that’s precisely why it was possible for Jesus to appear first to Mary Magdalene. Mary was acting from her heart not her head. The apostles were using their heads and afraid to trust their hearts.
Many times women are stereotyped of not being logical and of being too emotional. In this case it is precisely Mary Magdalene’s ability to trust her heart, her woman’s intuition if you will, that made her the perfect person to proclaim the Good News and to become “apostle to the apostles.”
We now revere this woman from a culture that neither heard nor respected the wisdom of women. Jesus always lifts up the lowly to show us the way to him. Can we recognize the Good News proclaimed to us in the most illogical ways from the most unlikely people? We can if we listen with our hearts.
Purchase our 2012 Calendar
Join us in 2012 as we take a prayerful journey through the liturgical year at the motherhouse.
Click here to purchase our 2012 calendar, called "Sacred Treasure, Sacred Time," that features the pieces of art from the motherhouse that relate to a particular feast day or holy day each month. Calendars are $5 each.
