Women in History: Saint Mary Magdalene, First Witness to the Resurrection

 For Holy Women’s History Month, Amanda Lawrence contemplates the loyalty and determination of Saint Mary Magdalene.

Saint Mary Magdalene has held a special place in my heart for as long as I can remember. Not only was she God’s best friend in life, but she was also the first witness to His Resurrection, according to all four Gospels.

Before Jesus, Mary Magdalene was a devout Jewish woman from an upper-class family. Her encounter with Him early in His ministry changed everything. Mary knew Jesus was the Son of God long before that first Easter morning. For years, she traveled alongside the disciples, encountering Jesus’ teaching and miracles firsthand. Many scholars believed she even financially supported His work.

John may have been the beloved disciple whom Jesus loved, but Mary Magdalene — the Apostle to the Apostles — was the most loyal. She stuck by Jesus through His ministry, arrest, torturous crucifixion, and burial, while others fled or, worse, betrayed Him. Because of her deep faith and loyal heart, Jesus chose her to announce His return.

Whenever I contemplate Mary Magdalene, that Easter scene at the tomb always comes to mind. It plays out vividly for me, like 4K HD. She arrived bright and early, and possibly alone, prepared to mourn and anoint the brutalized body of her best friend.

Mary Magdalene’s One Goal: to Treat Jesus with All the Care and Respect He Deserves

We don’t need to imagine the anguish Mary Magdalene felt upon arriving to find the massive boulder blocking the tomb removed and discovering it empty. John tells us how she ran to two of the disciples and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” (John 20:2).

Mary Magdalene remained outside Jesus’ tomb, weeping for God knows how long.

At some point, Jesus asks, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?”

Of course, He already knows.

Still, Mary remained dedicated to finding her best friend’s body, begging this supposed stranger to tell her where they took Him. Jesus says, “Mary!” And in that instant, she knew. But the very next thing He said to her is, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.” (John 20:11-18).

I imagine Mary falling at His feet, clinging to Him like a toddler, while Jesus gently pried her off. He needed to leave so she could experience the full force of the Holy Spirit. Although she was probably not in the headspace to comprehend what that means. Who among us hasn’t been there?

An Inspirational Journey Through Grief, Determination, and Elation

After witnessing the brutal execution of her beloved friend and teacher, Mary still got up before dawn and went to Him. I hold this in my head when I’m praying at 5 AM or showing up early to Mass.

Although she couldn’t see His body, she didn’t lose faith. She wept and waited to encounter Him. I’ve failed to find my way to Jesus’ body several times. But like Mary, I weep and wait, too. He always shows up for me, eventually.

Yet, what I most aspire to is her role as God’s loyal and determined best friend. Named at least a dozen times — and more often than many of the male apostles — Mary Magdalene is a vital feminine figure in the Gospels. She is second only to the Most Holy Theotokos, Jesus’ mother.

Try as I might — and I do — I will never hold a candle to the sinless Virgin Mother of God. But Jesus’s best friend, Mary Magdalene, for whom He cast out seven demons, I can easily relate to. Jesus entrusted this imperfect, human Mary to deliver the news of His Resurrection to the other disciples, who were still in hiding. What a tremendous honor.

Mary Magdalene Didn’t Stop There!

In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Mary Magdalene traveled to Rome to share news of the risen Lord. During an opulent banquet, she informed Emperor Tiberius of Jesus’ wrongful death and spectacular resurrection. Scorn and disbelief greeted her.

The emperor declared that a man couldn’t rise from the dead any more than a hard-boiled egg could turn red. Jesus responded with a miracle as the egg in Mary’s hand turned red. It’s in that miraculous scene that Orthodox art and icons often depict her.

Through bravery and courage, Mary Magdalene brought many souls to Jesus. Her story reminds me that God calls us to persevere in faith and share the news of Christ’s Resurrection with everyone, even when it’s hard, messy, or scary.

Mary is the patron saint of women, converts, penitent sinners, hairdressers, and the contemplative life. Thanks to a decree by Pope Francis, the Church celebrates her feast on July 22.

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us.

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Copyright 2026 Amanda Lawrence
Images: (banner) Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix / Alamy Stock Photo; Alexander Ivanov, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons