After the Mother of God, "MARY MAGDALENA" is the woman most frequently mentioned in the writings of the New Testament. Originally known as "Mary of Magdala" - after her place of origin on the Sea of Galilee - the name "Mary Magdalene" has been formed over time.
According to the testimony of the evangelists, she is one of the women and men who followed Jesus Christ. According to the biblical accounts, Mary Magdalene is also one of the three who wanted to anoint the body of Jesus on Easter morning after the crucifixion and burial and the very first person who ever met the Risen One. Pope Francis has therefore honored her as the 'Apostle of the Apostles', saying at a general audience:
+ "She shows us the God who knows us humans, cares for us and looks after our lives. Every person is a story of love that God writes on earth. As with Mary Magdalene, the life of every Christian is taken up in this overflowing joy: we have a God at our side who calls us by name and raises us up, who transforms us and the world through his resurrection."
The feast day of Saint Mary Magdalene in the calendar of saints is unanimously July 22nd in the major Christian denominations.