You could celebrate today’s feast by picking up one of these – or not.

And if you want, in the extended text is the recommended prayer service for the day, provided by FutureChurch, which coordinates the celebrations

Now, there is not a thing wrong with reclaiming the understanding of Mary as "Apostle to the Apostles" or "Equal to the Apostles."  In fact, if we did so, we’d be catching up to the Orthodox, who have always seen her this way.

And to be fair, the Future Church materieals do not go in the JJ + MM = Luv direction. They use the phrase "near companioning" as an example of a gift Jesus gave Mary, but the emphasis, again, to be fair is on MM’s role as a witness to the Resurrection, and so on.

However, the gist ends up being oppressed women who will focus on the Holy One so they will no longer be excluded, etc…It ends up being boring and mythical and ultimately rooted in nothing but self-referential wish-fulfillment.

Celebration of the Feast of St. Mary of Magdala

Ideally this celebration is preceded by a presentation about Mary of Magdala given by a biblical scholar or

Church historian. Feel free to adapt this prayer service according to the time you have available.

Before the program begins you will need to copy the individual Mary of Magdala prayer papers (enclosed) on

various colors of paper. Cut apart each prayer into a strip, fold over at least once, and place in a small basket

at each of the laying on of hands sites. People are invited to take prayer paper from the basket to take home.

You will also need to include a copy of the choral reading (enclosed here) and the reflection/ action sheet

(described below) with each program.

(Stand) Song by Marty Haugen C 1982, G.I.A.. Publications. Found in

Today’s Missal Music

OR

2002, Oregon Catholic Press.

Song of the Body of Christ:

David Haas (1957 c. 1989 GIA as found in Gather)

Opening Prayer

resurrection, first proclaimed by St. Mary of Magdala. We thank you for the healing gift of Jesus’ resurrecting

love… proclaimed by first century women and men even to this present day. We thank you for Mary of

Magdala’s gift to Jesus of accompaniment in suffering, death and resurrection. Open our hearts to hear what

special part of Jesus’ "good news," belongs to each of us present here tonight."

ALL: Amen

(PRESIDER:): "God, we come to celebrate this midsummer day (eve) the story of Jesus’

Reading 1

ALL:

Matt 28-1-10 (Reader ends with): "The Word of the Lord""Thanks be to God"

Time of Quiet

Reading II

Edwina Gateley (Orbis 2002). Two small groups may alternate this reading, or the gathered community could

be divided into two and do the reading antiphonally).

Choral Reading (Adapted from Soul Sisters: Women in Scripture Speak to Women Today by

Time of Quiet

Reflection

invited to reflect quietly and complete this exercise at home…otherwise:

If you have a formal presentation before the prayer service in the interests of time, people may be

HOMILIST

"shared homily" by inviting each person to reflect on a gift that they would like to receive from Jesus and a gift

they would like to give to Jesus that was inspired by the Matthew’s gospel or the choral reading. Use the

reflection/action sheet to start the process.

Encourage people to share or be silent as they are comfortable.

After the sharing is finished, invite people (according to the call of the Spirit), to consider that the "gift" they

give to Jesus could include involvement in one of the ministries listed on the paper.

develops some of themes listed on reflection/action paper or if desired, the PRESIDER: suggests a

Prayers of the Faithful:

Opening Song:

PRESIDER: "Let us take time now to present our special needs and requests to God. Our response is:

RisenGather Us In

One, Hear our Prayer."

Ritual of laying on of hands

(reflective music plays in the background, perhaps

"Be Not Afraid" (Bob Dufford,

Text: Luke 1:46-55, David Haas. Music: WILD MOUNTAIN THYME, Irish traditional; arr. by David Haas C 1989, G.I.A..

Publications

PRESIDER:

(name) Do Not Be Afraid: You are called by God to live and proclaim the good news of the Gospel."

receiving the laying on of hands, each person chooses one of the Mary of Magdala prayer papers from the

basket to take home, and returns to their seat." If the crowd is too large, presider may lay hands on the heads

of those in the first pews. They then turn around and lay hands on the heads of those behind them until the

action has spread through the assembly. The prayer papers could then be passed among the assembly.

)invites each person to come forward. As they receive the laying on of hands each is told "______After

Closing Prayer:

PRESIDER: "Dear friends. We are about to walk further on the road that leads to the glory of the resurrection.

God will seek to re-create us. Christ will continue to be our Way, our Truth, and our Life. The Spirit will be

our guide and inspiration. May Mary of Magdala be our model of courage and faithful service to the Gospel.

Like her, may we heed Jesus’ message: "Do Not Be Afraid: Go and tell my brethren the Good News that the

reign of God is at hand."

And may God bless us all: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Spirit).

(option: Source of all Being, Eternal Word, Holy

ALL: Amen.

PRESIDER: Now, let us go forth from here in peace to be signs of hope and preachers of the Good

News.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

Closing Song

19910 found in Today’s Missal Music (2002) # 372.

"God Has Chosen Me" by Bernadette Farrell c 1990 (Portland: OCF Publications,

OR

Canticle of the Turning"

Gather)

by Rory Cooney, (c 1952 c 1990 GIA Publications, Inc. in

Prayer service developed by Christine Schenk csj

For further information visit www.futurechurch.org or contact FutureChurch 15800 Montrose Ave. Cleveland

Ohio 44111 216-228-0869 magdala@futurechurch.org

St. Mary of Magdala celebrations are an outgrowth of the

Women in Church Leadership Project

developed by

FutureChurch (www.futurechurch.org) in partnership with

Call to Action

(www.cta-usa.org)

Reflection and Action Sheet

Gifts given by Jesus to Mary of Magdala

1. Helped her to see her "Soul beauty."

2. Gift of friendship, near companioning.

SJ c 1975 Published by OCP Publications in Today’s Missal Music 2002 # 445)