By: Jackie Kierulf
Of all the beloved saints my maternal grandmother introduced us to, she didn’t have much to say about Mary Magdalene. Historically, this particular Mary is believed to be from Magdala, an ancient fishing village located on the Sea of Galilee in Northeastern Israel.1 Perhaps Mary Magdalene seemed too much of an outcast to acquaint us with. After all, how do you explain to a young child that Jesus had expelled several demons from a woman who then experienced tremendous healing and became a follower of Jesus? But Mary is no different from you or me, someone striving for holiness in a world that so desperately needs to know and live the message of God’s love and mercy.
A model of faith and true witness
Mary Magdalene, originally possessed by demons and healed by Jesus, was truly devoted to the Lord, financially supporting his ministry, and even remaining with him at the foot of the cross while most of the apostles fled and hid.
Mary had no doubt that the man who addressed her at the empty tomb on that Sunday morning was her Rabbi. She became an “apostle’s apostle,” tasked by Jesus to tell the others of his rising from the dead.2 Regardless of whether her fleeing by boat to the south of France, preaching and evangelizing, and living in a mountain cave, is true, Mary’s mission as the messenger of salvation began.
Mary’s healing was conversion
When Jesus drove the demons out of Mary Magdalene, she surrendered her life to our Saviour. Like others who experienced a life-changing miracle she was greatly transformed, repenting, believing and trusting in the love and mercy of God. In his meditation on humility and healing in 2019, Pope Francis referred to the first healing as conversion, by opening one’s heart to the Word of God.3 This was Mary’s story.
Healing is a journey of faith and courage. During our lifetime, God works to transform each living soul into a work of grace. Nowadays, the sacraments are readily available to aid us in that journey, but it looked different in Jesus’ time. Still, learning to embrace slices of grace along the way as Mary and those touched by Jesus did, is relatable. We will falter like St. Peter (denying Jesus three times), and have strength at other times to be bold in our faith like Mary (not leaving Jesus as he hung on the crucifix). We will learn as Dr. Bob Schuchts says that “healing is an ongoing encounter with God’s love and truth.”4
If healing is ongoing, so too, is our continuous conversion. The spirit of the living God is in our midst, even in our chaotic world prodding us gently to ask for His grace. God is always waiting for us to invite him into our hearts, unceasingly, no matter where we are in our journey. This is when we recognize healing is conversion and that each of those words are interchangeable.v Jesus did not choose perfect followers, but ones who needed healing to change their hearts continually.
Grace, though unmerited, is accessible if we only open the door of our heart
In his exposition on Psalm 118, Saint Ambrose reflects that while Christ’s light shines on everyone, “it cannot enter a door that stays shut.”6 We need to open the door to God. If we invite Him to the hidden places in our hearts, in true surrender, we too can be transformed and be recipients of God’s grace, like Mary Magdalene. But if the door remains shut, we will remain disconnected with Him. In our call to be saints, our true vocation here on earth, we pray to open the door to God.
On her feast day, let us remember Mary Magdalene’s faith, zeal and love for the Lord. Let us also remember how she trusted, surrendered and relied only on God’s love and grace. As St. Ignatius said, in his prayer of Surrender, “Give me only your love and your grace, that’s enough for me.”7
May God’s love for you be enough.
God Bless You
Jackie
I’m grateful for God in my life. May your connection with our Lord, and through Our Blessed Mother, always be a sense of faithful direction in your life.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pray for us.
Mary, Help of Christians, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, Pray for us.
St. Michael the Archangel Pray for us.
All you angels and saints, Prays for us.
Amen.
Notes:
1. There’s extensive excavations on the grounds of the Magdala sanctuary where pilgrims frequent, including a first century synagogue where Jesus is believed to have taught. There’s also evidence of some ancients bath, attesting to the wealthy inhabitants and how Mary Magdalene was probably quite wealthy, hence her ability to support Jesus’ ministry.
2. Although the bible does not confirm that Jesus appeared to his mother Mary, first, many saints and Popes (including Saint John Paull II have supported this theological tradition.
4. Dr. Bob Schuchts, Be Healed. A Guide to Encountering the Powerful Love of Jesus in Your Life, Ave Maria Press, 2014. And I have to credit the Sisters from the Queenship of Mary Community in Plantagenet, Ontario Canada for speaking to our faith community and providing this quote to me.
5. Concept shared with thanks: Sisters from the Queenship of Mary Community in Plantagenet, Ontario Canada.
6. Exposition on Psalm 118. Divine Office: Office of the Readings, Thursday July 9, 2026.
7. St. Ignatius “Prayer of Surrender” (historically known as the Suscipe, Latin for “receive”)
About Our Guest Blogger
Jackie Kierulf is a retired Health analyst who writes about Catholic spirituality, family stories and grief. She is active in her home parish and has pilgrimed to several places including the Holy Land, Fatima, Lourdes and Poland. Her latest pieces include How the Jesus Prayer Impacted My Life, Lourdes (Calla Press) and Lenten reflections. You can find more of her work at fromsimplewordstorealstories.home.blog. Jackie lives with her husband in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
