Tuesday, July 22, 2014

For the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, Penitent: Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine at St. Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume & Sanary-sur-Mer

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with reliquary of the head
of St. Mary Magdalene in background.

Skull of St. Mary Magdalene.

Grotto of St. Mary Magdalen, Sainte Baume.
EWTN offers a brief history here.

St. Mary Magdalen in ecstasy.


I prefer the traditional stories about the Magdalene.  She is a patron saint of mine because of her penitence - or great love.  Years ago I visited Ste. Baume as a pilgrim and wished I might have stayed there as a hermit.  At the time the Dominicans who had custody of the sanctuary were not very hospitable and snickered at the pious belief that the Magdalene took refuge there.  One can actually grow accustomed to mockery and prefer it to praise.

St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us that we may love Jesus more than we loved sin in the past.

History of St, Maximin here.



6 comments:

  1. Terry, I love reading Lo ! these many posts of yours, esp. the most recent. Thank you.
    yes: one Can really find oneself preferring the mockery and the place on the bottom. it is consoling in such an odd way, I cannot express it but to say...it is a secret place honor from Him. it is Grace.
    it is time for me to go to bed, to be up at 4. my poor little cat-girl, I only played with her for 10 minutes today.
    in the night she dragged her toy, the stick one with the little 'mouse' at the end of the 2' wire, all the way up the stairs and I do not doubt she tried to wake me to play - so cute.
    I am thinking, lately, of George Rouault.

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    1. I like your comments too. Your cat is like mine.

      Rouault - I haven't thought of him for a long time.

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  2. I like that Magdalene was a strong woman in love with God and Jesus..(No not that way Dan Brown) but the being g a victim of male patriarchal political games..(I just came from my Womyens study group ) and they needed a Patron for pentience so I am sure, she was like "Okay if it helps." from heaven. I do like traditional Magdalene too..unlike the guys she knew a touch of lipstick and a comb through your hair could get people to stop and listen about Jesus.

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    Replies
    1. I'm laughing. Did you really go to a women's study group?

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    2. Terry..I would be as welcome there as I would be at the Crisis Magazine Ice Cream Social!

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    3. Haha! You never know.

      Delete


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