Mary Magdalene

Sinner and first witness

From the beginning, there has been much discussion about Mary Magdalene. Who was she? What was her significance? She is barely mentioned in the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus is said to have freed her from demons, after which she became one of his followers. She was with him when he died on the cross and she was the first witness of his resurrection. That is why she was later called the 'apostle of the apostles'.

There is no further information available, leaving ample room for interpretation, legends, and disputes regarding her character and role. She is often confused with other women associated with Jesus and is primarily portrayed as a repentant sinner. Thus, she was not only a witness to Jesus' transformation but also became a hopeful symbol of transformation herself.

After Jesus' death, Mary Magdalene is said to have travelled to France, where she landed at what is now Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. She eventually retired to a cave in the Sainte-Baume Massif. She was later buried in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. From there, relics are said to have been transferred to Vézelay ...

In search of Mary Magdalene

At the beginning of the 16th century, the debate about the role of Mary Magdalene flared up again. Against this backdrop, Nicolas Champion wrote his Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena. In the video on the right, the Flemish ensemble Graindelavoix sings the Kyrie from this mass.

Since the 1980s, feminist theologians have been encouraging new discussions: why can't women become priests, when the 'apostle of the apostles' was a woman?

At the beginning of this century, scientist Anna Fedele travelled with spiritual pilgrims to several classic Catholic shrines dedicated to Mary Magdalene, such as Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, La Sainte-Baume, Saint-Maximin and Vézelay. In her report, Looking for Mary Magdalene (2013), she recounts how these pilgrims themselves give content and form (rituals) to their journeys, inspired by animistic traditions, goddess mythology (Mother Earth) and Jungian psychology. Fedele also shows that these pilgrims are essentially part of a long tradition of 'heretics' and reformers, searching for the true, the good, the eternal source.

In 2020, Mary Magdalene's School was established in Vézelay: "A Modern Day Mystery School", focused on spiritual growth..