“Mary Magdalene’s story is the story of modern women everywhere,”
Petula Dvorak
The woman from Magdala in Galilee was a financial supporter of Christ’s
ministry, one of the last faithful to remain at the foot of the cross,
and, according to St. John, the first witness of the Resurrection.
Christianity’s tradition of considering Mary Magdalene a former
prostitute who repented and received absolution from Christ is nothing
more than a “2000-year-old misogynistic body policing,” the result of a
bigoted male hierarchy that sexualizes and demeans women.
Mary Magdalene represents in many ways the struggle of women who are
still oppressed by patriarchal societies and institutions. She is there
in a character that can encourage their struggle for liberation as they
follow her inspiring lead.
