Saint Mary Magdalene is “the one who loved Christ and who was loved by Him” and in her honor the “paradigm of the ministry of women in the Church” is recognized. These are the words of Pope Francis celebrating Saint Mary Magdalene’s July 22 Feast Day.
But who was this Mary? Where did all the distortions of her life originate? Why did the Dominicans choose her as the patron of their Order? Together, we will search the Scriptures for her historical footprint and for gender criticism of her story. We will conclude with a short prayer in her honor. Please bring a Bible with you.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,[a] “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. (John 20: 11-18)
DID YOU KNOW?: In 1295, the Dominican Order was given care of the Shrine of St. Mary Magdalene at Le Sainte Baum (the Holy Cave), in southeastern France. Because she carried the news of the Resurrection to the apostles, she was referred to as the “Apostle of the Apostles,” and from the beginnings of the Dominican Order, she was proclaimed co-patroness of the newly founded apostolic Order of Friars Preachers. St Catherine of Alexandria is also named the co-patroness with St. Mary Magdalene.
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FD: Theology
In Trauma-Informed Yoga, discover the power of grounding, restoration, identity, and transformation (GRIT), which is an empowering and foundational six-week system for healing from trauma. This model invites you to re-connect with your body through somatic movement, meditation, and creative writing as you explore your relationship with yourself and transform the narrative of your life.
Trauma-Informed Yoga is taught by Kayla Morgan of Resilient Roots Yoga.
Cost: $10.00 per session
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FD: Spirituality
The Spiritual Exercises form a structure for encountering and loving God more deeply. They are a compilation of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices developed by St. Ignatius Loyola to help people deepen their relationship with God.
This adaptation from the 30-Day Ignatian Retreat feeds the hunger of our hearts with the Word of God. The Ignatian retreat is a retreat in daily life. Through nine months of prayer, contemplation, and community, participants will explore Ignatius prayer methods and insight into the spiritual through personally meditating with Scripture and engaging in small group conversations and reflection.
Series Dates:
The best gift that you can give the world is a you that is fully present. Come, retreat to a place focused on quieting the environment around and all that is within you. Learn to respond to your need and longing for time and space to renew body, mind, and spirit. Come on your own, invite a friend, or gather with a special group to Be Still in Sacred Spaces.
Gentle Yoga: Come Home to Yourself with Kathy Julien - Return home to yourself as you build awareness of your breath, observe the body's sensations, and expand the heart. Gentle yoga is suitable for all ages, fitness levels, and physical conditions. Limited space.
I Light: Release and Trust the Journey, with Leara Glinzak, MSAT - Using an art experiential, explore how creativity and faith, when woven together, create centering. Ground in your faith and experience a creative process and an art therapy directive that will guide you on an introspective journey.
Labyrinth Walk: Connect With Your Truth, with Susan Duesbery - Known as a path of prayer the labyrinth has an uncanny ability to help access our deepest truths. In challenging times, labyrinth walking graciously offers profound guidance on how to navigate our journeys with an open, loving heart. Limited space.
Sacred Scripture, with Nahed Fernando - Experience a contemplative reading of Sacred Scripture, guided meditation, and time of contemplation. Through stillness, journaling, and sharing we will seek more presence and openness as our spirits move into a deeper awareness of God.
Write Your Heart Out: Finding Stillness, with Sandra Mitchell - Using guided contemplation, a writing prompt, sharing, and non-judgmental feedback, this transformational writing experience is open to writers of all levels. As you put pen to paper, discover your deepest truths and allow your heart’s energy to create healing stillness. Limited space.
Zentangle®: Be Present, with Amy Kam, CZT - The Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. This artistic meditation creates a safe space to discover new ways to open up to your self-expression and allows you to see the beauty in all things.