St. Mary Magdalene Novena
- Fr. Scott Haynes
- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
Fr. Scott Haynes
Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene
July 14-22
You are invited to pray this novena from July 14-22 to see the intercession of St. Mary Magdalene.
Send in your holy intentions to be remembered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Participate
Daily Novena Prayer
Saint Mary Magdalene, beloved disciple of the Lord, who wast forgiven much and didst love much in return, lead us in the way of conversion, purity of heart, and steadfast devotion to Christ. Teach us to serve God and our neighbor with generous hearts, offering ourselves freely unto Him who hath given us all things.
Thou, who didst remain faithful at the foot of the Cross beside the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint John, obtain for us the grace to persevere in faith, to remain steadfast in hope amid trials, and to unite our sufferings with those of Christ.
At the dawn of Easter, seeking the Lord with tears beside the empty tomb, thou didst encounter the Risen Christ and wast chosen to proclaim His victory over death. Help us to believe that life is stronger than death, mercy greater than sin, and divine love triumphant over every darkness.
Faithful witness of the Resurrection and herald of hope, intercede for us before the throne of God, especially for the intention we now place in thy care (mention your intention).
Through thy prayers, may we persevere in the friendship of Christ and one day rejoice with thee in the glory of His heavenly kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 1 – The Mercy of Christ
Scripture Reading: Luke 7:37–38
“And behold a woman that was in the city, a sinner… brought an alabaster box of ointment; and standing behind at his feet, she began to wash his feet with tears.”
Meditation
Mary Magdalene teaches us that no sin is greater than the mercy of God. Her tears were not tears of despair but of hope, for she discovered that the Heart of Christ delights in forgiving those who return to Him with humility. Today let us place our sins at the feet of Jesus, trusting that His mercy can make all things new.
Prayer
Let us pray.
O God, who didst draw living water from the rock to refresh Thy thirsty people and didst fill the tears of blessed Mary Magdalene with the grace of repentance, soften our hardened hearts, that, bewailing our sins at the feet of Christ, we may obtain the joy of Thy merciful forgiveness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 2 – Delivered by Christ
Scripture Reading: Luke 8:1–3
“Mary called Magdalene, out of whom seven devils were gone forth, ministered unto Him of her substance.”
Meditation
Freed from the power of evil, Mary Magdalene devoted herself entirely to the service of the Lord. Grace does not merely forgive; it transforms. Christ desires not only to loosen our chains but to lead us into the freedom of His friendship. Let us ask for hearts unburdened by sin and eager to follow Him.
Prayer
Let us pray.
O God, whose only-begotten Son delivered blessed Mary Magdalene from the power of the Evil One and called her into the freedom of His disciples, mercifully loose every chain of sin that binds us, that, serving Thee with undivided hearts, we may walk always in the liberty of Thy children. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 3 – Listening at the Feet of the Master
Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:16
“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.”
Meditation
Mary Magdalene listened attentively to the words of Christ and allowed His teaching to shape her life. In a noisy world, she reminds us that holiness begins in silence and grows through attentive listening. The soul that hears the voice of Christ learns the wisdom that cannot pass away.
Prayer
Let us pray.
O God, who didst grant blessed Mary Magdalene the grace to sit at the feet of Thy Son and treasure His saving words, incline our hearts to hear Thy voice, that, keeping Thy word with faithful perseverance, we may bear fruit unto everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 4 – Faithful Disciple of the Lord
Scripture Reading: Mark 15:40
“There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene.”
Meditation
When many fled in fear, Mary Magdalene remained near her Lord. Love gave her courage, and fidelity kept her steadfast. She teaches us that true discipleship perseveres not only in moments of joy but also in times of confusion, sorrow, and apparent defeat.
Prayer
Let us pray.
O God of mercy, who didst receive the tears of blessed Mary Magdalene for her brother Lazarus and didst reveal in his raising the victory of Thy Son over death, grant that, steadfast beneath the Cross and confident in the hope of the Resurrection, we may faithfully serve Thee all our days and attain the life that never ends. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 5 – At the Foot of the Cross
Scripture Reading: John 19:25
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.”
Meditation
Mary Magdalene stood beside the Cross with the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint John. She could not remove Christ's suffering, yet she remained with Him in love. We too are called to stay near the Lord in our trials, confident that every cross embraced with Him becomes a path to resurrection.
Prayer
Let us pray.
O God, who didst accept the loving service of blessed Mary Magdalene, who poured precious ointment upon Thy beloved Son, grant that our lives may become a pleasing offering before Thee, diffusing in every place the sweet fragrance of Christ. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 6 – Love That Perseveres
Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:55–56
“And there were there many women afar off, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him.”
Meditation
The love of Mary Magdalene did not diminish when darkness fell. She followed Christ faithfully from Galilee to Calvary. Her example reminds us that genuine love is patient, enduring, and steadfast. Let us pray for the grace to love Christ not only in consolation but also in sacrifice.
Prayer
Let us pray.
O God, who didst kindle in blessed Mary Magdalene a love stronger than fear, so that she remained faithful even in the hour of Thy Son's Passion, inflame our hearts with the fire of divine charity, that neither suffering nor adversity may ever separate us from the love of Christ. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 7 – Witness of the Burial
Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:59–61
“And Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting over against the sepulchre.”
Meditation
Mary Magdalene watched as the Lord was laid in the tomb. Though hope seemed buried, she refused to abandon Him. There are moments in every life when God appears silent, yet faith invites us to remain waiting beside the tomb, trusting that His promises will be fulfilled.
Prayer
Let us pray.
O God, who didst sustain blessed Mary Magdalene in hope as she kept watch beside the tomb of Thy Son, strengthen us in every hour of darkness, that, patiently awaiting the fulfillment of Thy promises, we may rejoice in the light of the Resurrection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 8 – Seeking the Lord
Scripture Reading: John 20:11–13
“But Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping.”
Meditation
On Easter morning Mary Magdalene searched for Jesus with tears. Her longing reveals the desire of every soul made for God. Those who seek Christ with perseverance eventually hear Him speak their name. Let us ask for a heart that never ceases to seek the Lord.
Prayer
Let us pray.
O God, who didst reveal Thy risen Son to blessed Mary Magdalene as she sought Him with tears, grant that we may seek Thee above all earthly things, that, hearing our names spoken by the Good Shepherd, we may follow Him with joyful hearts. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 9 – Apostle to the Apostles
Scripture Reading: John 20:16–18
“Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him: Rabboni. ... Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord.”
Meditation
Mary Magdalene was the first witness of the Resurrection and the first to proclaim, “I have seen the Lord.” Forgiven, transformed, and sent forth, she became the Apostle to the Apostles. Having encountered the Risen Christ, may we also become joyful messengers of His mercy and His victory over death.
Prayer
Let us pray.
O God, who didst choose blessed Mary Magdalene to be the first witness of the Resurrection and the herald of Easter joy, grant that, rejoicing in the victory of Thy Son over sin and death, we may faithfully proclaim Him by our words and by our lives until we attain the glory of His heavenly kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Litany of St. Mary Magdalene
On the conclusion of the novena, the Litany may be offered.
For Private Use Only.
Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
St. Mary Magdalen, pray for us.
Sister of Martha and Lazarus, pray for us.
Thou who didst enter the Pharisee's house to anoint the feet of Jesus, pray for us.
Who didst wash His feet with thy tears, pray for us.
Who didst dry them with thy hair, pray for us.
Who didst cover them with kisses, pray for us.
Who wast vindicated by Jesus before the proud Pharisee, pray for us.
Who from Jesus received the pardon of thy sins, pray for us.
Who before darkness wast restored to light, pray for us.
Mirror of penance, pray for us.
Disciple of Our Lord, pray for us.
Wounded with the love of Christ, pray for us.
Most dear to the Heart of Jesus, pray for us.
Constant woman, pray for us.
Last at the Cross of Jesus, first at His tomb, pray for us.
Thou who wast the first to see Jesus risen, pray for us.
Whose forehead was sanctified by the touch of thy risen Master, pray for us.
Apostle of apostles, pray for us.
Who didst choose the “better part,” pray for us.
Who lived for many years in solitude being miraculously fed, pray for us.
Who wast visited by Angels seven times a day, pray for us.
Sweet advocate of sinners, pray for us.
Spouse of the King of Glory, pray for us.
V. Saint Mary Magdalen, earnestly intercede for us with thy Divine Master,
R. That we may share thy happiness in Heaven.
Let us pray.
May the glorious merits of blessed Mary Magdalene, we beseech Thee, O Lord, make our offerings acceptable to Thee, for Thine only begotten Son vouchsafed graciously to accept the humble service she rendered. We ask this through Him Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, God forever and ever. R. Amen.
May the prayers of blessed Mary Magdalen help us, O Lord, for it was in answer to them that Thou didst call her brother Lazarus, four days after death, back from the grave to life, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, Unity in Trinity, world without end. R. Amen.
Meditation: Saint Mary Magdalene: A Soul Transformed by Love
Saint Mary Magdalene is one of the most beloved figures in the Gospel because her life reveals the power of divine mercy. In her we see what Christ can accomplish in a soul that opens itself completely to His grace. She teaches us that no past is too dark, no wound too deep, and no heart too broken for the healing touch of the Savior.
The Gospel tells us that the Lord delivered her from seven demons. Whether understood literally or symbolically, the image speaks of a soul liberated from bondage and restored to freedom. Having received much mercy, she loved much in return. She did not merely receive forgiveness; she allowed forgiveness to transform her entire life.
From that moment she became a faithful disciple. She followed Christ through the villages and towns of Galilee. She listened to His words, supported His mission, and learned to love the One who had first loved her. Her discipleship was not passing enthusiasm but steadfast fidelity. When many abandoned the Lord, Mary Magdalene remained.
She remained beneath the Cross.
While darkness covered the earth and the disciples fled in fear, she stood near Jesus with His Blessed Mother and Saint John. Love kept her there. She could not lessen His suffering, but she could remain with Him. In this she becomes a model for every Christian who seeks to be faithful amid trials, disappointments, and grief. Sometimes love can do nothing except stay beside the beloved in silence. Such was the love of Mary Magdalene.
After Christ was laid in the tomb, she refused to abandon Him. Before dawn on the first Easter morning she returned, carrying in her heart both sorrow and hope. She sought the Lord with tears, believing that even if death had claimed Him, her love still belonged at His tomb.
It was there, in the garden, that she encountered the Risen Christ.
At first she did not recognize Him. But then He spoke a single word: "Mary." In that moment darkness gave way to light, mourning was changed into joy, and the tears of repentance became tears of gladness. The woman who had once wept for her sins now rejoiced because she had found the Lord whom her soul loved.
For this reason, Christian tradition has seen in Mary Magdalene an image of the soul described in the Canticle of Canticles. "I sought him whom my soul loveth; I sought him and found him not." (Canticle 3:1) Like the bride in the sacred poem, Mary searched for her Beloved, persevered in love, and finally encountered Him in the garden of the Resurrection.
This helps explain one of the most beautiful titles found in the ancient Litany of Saint Mary Magdalene: Spouse of the King of Glory. The Church has never understood this title in an earthly or literal sense. Christ had no earthly spouse. Rather, it is the language of mystical union. The Church herself is the Bride of Christ, and every holy soul is called into a communion of love with the Divine Bridegroom.
Mary Magdalene stands before us as a symbol of this perfect response to grace. Having been forgiven much, she loved much. Having sought Christ faithfully, she found Him. Having received the joy of His Resurrection, she was sent forth to proclaim it.
Thus, the litany also calls her Apostle of the Apostles. The risen Lord entrusted to her the first announcement of Easter: "Go to my brethren." She became the first herald of the Resurrection, carrying to the disciples the news that death had been conquered and that Christ lives forever.
Another ancient title addresses her as Sweet Advocate of Penitents. It is a fitting name, for countless Christians have looked to her as a companion in their struggles, knowing that she understands both the misery of sin and the joy of forgiveness. She reminds us that repentance is not merely turning away from evil; it is turning toward Someone. It is allowing oneself to be loved by Christ and responding with an undivided heart.
Saint Mary Magdalene teaches us that holiness is not reserved for those who have never fallen. Holiness belongs to those who allow themselves to be raised up by grace, purified by tears, strengthened by fidelity, and transformed by love.
She teaches us to seek Christ when He seems absent, to remain with Him in suffering, to recognize His voice when He calls us by name, and to become witnesses of His Resurrection in our own time.
May we learn from her to love Christ with an undivided heart, to persevere at the foot of the Cross, and to rejoice one day with her in the presence of the King of Glory, whose mercy changes sinners into saints and whose love triumphs over every darkness.
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