St. Mary Magdalene

St. Justin Martyr

Mary Magdalene was from the city of Magdala near the Sea of Galilee. Some people identify her as a sinner, but Bible scholars have determined that is not who she is. Instead, it is thought, she is the woman in the Gospel who Jesus freed from "seven devils." At that time, sickness of any kind was considered the result of the devil. Mary Magdalene felt much love and gratitude toward Jesus for making her whole again. Since she was wealthy, she could support the work of Jesus with her material goods.

From then on, with the other holy women, Mary humbly served Jesus and his apostles. When Our Lord was crucified, she was there at the foot of his cross. She stayed with the Blessed Mother and St. John, unafraid for herself. All she could think about was that her Lord was suffering.

After Jesus' body had been placed in the tomb, Mary went to anoint it with spices early Easter Sunday morning. She was shocked to find the tomb was empty, so she began to weep. Suddenly she saw someone she thought was the gardener. She asked him if he knew where the body of her beloved Master had been taken. Then the man spoke in a voice she knew so well: "Mary!" It was Jesus, standing right there in front of her. He was risen from the dead. St. Mary Magdalene was a faithful follower of her Lord during his life, and she was rewarded with the first sight of him after the Resurrection.

The Gospels show Mary as being sent by the Lord himself to announce the Good News of the resurrection to Peter and the apostles. In the early centuries of the Church, Mary Magdalene's feast was celebrated with the Mass of an apostle. 

St. Justin Martyr was born around 100 A.D. in Italy. As a young man Justin searched everywhere for the truth. One day a stranger told him of the Old Testament prophets who foretold the coming of Christ. Justin learned of the teachings of Jesus Christ, and became a Christian. He went to Rome and started a school of Christian philosophy.

Some people attacked what Christians believed and practiced. Justin began to speak and write in defense of Christianity . He wrote that the Sunday meetings of the Christian Community included reading of Scripture, a homily, offering of bread and wine, and giving Communion to the people.

Around 165 a.d., Justin was arrested for being a Christian. When asked to deny his faith, Justin refused. The judge ordered him to be killed. Justin, a faith-filled layman, was beheaded.

Each day at our school, we look up at the statue of St. Justin Martyr in our hall, and remember his words,

"He who knows the truth and is not willing to speak it, draws down the anger of God."