07/22/2026
Today the Church remembers Mary Magdalene, a faithful disciple of Jesus and the first witness to the resurrection.
In the Gospel, Mary comes to the tomb while it is still dark and finds that the stone has been removed. She remains there in grief, searching for the body of Jesus, until the risen Christ calls her by name. In that moment, sorrow is transformed into recognition, and Mary is sent to share the good news with the disciples.
Mary Magdalene reminds us that Christ meets us in places of loss and confusion, and calls us into hope, faith and witness.
Scripture reading: John 20:1–2, 11–18
‘Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!”’
‘Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.”’
Prayer
Risen Christ,
you met Mary Magdalene in her grief
and called her by name.
Open our eyes to recognise your presence
when we feel lost or uncertain.
Turn our sorrow into hope,
our searching into faith
and our faith into joyful witness.
Send us out, like Mary,
to proclaim the good news of your resurrection.
Amen.
