Saint Mary Magdalene: a Cure and a Friend

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whom Jesus loved

Text by Victor Hoagland, C.P.

A Cure and a Friend

When Quentin Massys' Magdalene Mary heard that a new prophet, Jesus of Nazareth, was healing people, she joined the crowds at the shore of the lake where he often went. We do not know for sure how Jesus healed her, but it was probably like so many other cures the Gospels record. She listened to him speak and his words themselves lifted her spirits. Afterwards she came up to him to ask for his help. He told her to have faith in God. He put his hand on her, and the demons were gone. Illustration: detail of Mary Magdalene's face in oil painting on panel by Quentin Massys, c. (1466-1530)

Most of those healed by Jesus left quickly for home to tell their good fortune to family and friends. Mary, however, lingered on. As unhappiness left her soul and her demons were swept away, a great love awakened in her. She felt as though God had visited her through this prophet and more than anything else she wanted to know him. She stayed on that day, became a follower of Jesus and soon became his friend. She would remain with him till the end. Jesus went from one town and village in Galilee to another. "Accompanying him," St. Luke writes, "were the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and sickness: Mary called the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Johanna the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own means."

Woman touching
the hem of his garment

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