Commemoration of St. Mary Magdalene raised to a Feast
(Vatican Radio) It was
announced on Friday Pope Francis has decided to raise the celebration of the
memorial of St. Mary Magdalene to the dignity of a liturgical Feast.
In the modern Church
calendar, saints may be commemorated with a memorial (optional or obligatory),
feast, or solemnity.
The decree was signed on 3
June 2016, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart.
In a letter announcing the
change, the Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline
of the Sacraments, Arthur Roche, writes the decision means one “should reflect
more deeply on the dignity of women, the New Evangelization, and the greatness
of the mystery of Divine Mercy.”
Archbishop Roche drew
attention to the fact Mary Magdalene was the first witness to the Resurrection,
and is the one who announced the event to the Apostles.
“Saint Mary Magdalene is an
example of true and authentic evangelization; she is an evangelist who
announces the joyful central message of Easter,” he writes.
“The Holy Father Francis took
this decision precisely in the context of the Jubilee of Mercy to signify the
importance of this woman who showed a great love for Christ and was much loved
by Christ,” writes Archbishop Roche.
He also notes Saint Magdalene
was referred to as the "Apostle of the Apostles" (Apostolorum
Apostola) by Thomas Aquinas, since she announced to them the Resurrection, and
they, in turn, announced it to the whole world.
“Therefore it is right that
the liturgical celebration of this woman has the same grade of feast given to
the celebration of the apostles in the General Roman Calendar, and shines a
light on the special mission of this woman, who is an example and model for
every woman in the Church.”
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