Early Life

Not much is recorded about the life of Mary Not much is recorded about the life of Mary Magdalene before she became a follower of Magdalene before she became a follower of Jesus.Jesus.

She is from the town of Magdala in Galilee.She is from the town of Magdala in Galilee. Sources say that she took her last name from a Sources say that she took her last name from a

Talmudic expression meaning "curling women's Talmudic expression meaning "curling women's hair," which the Talmud explains as of an hair," which the Talmud explains as of an adulteress.adulteress.

Her Role in the Bible

The first fact stated about The first fact stated about her is the anointing of her is the anointing of Christ’s feet by a woman, Christ’s feet by a woman, a "sinner" in the city (Luke a "sinner" in the city (Luke 7:37-50).7:37-50).

The bible refers to 3 The bible refers to 3 different women, which are different women, which are all believed to be her: “the all believed to be her: “the sinner”, Mary Magdalene, sinner”, Mary Magdalene, and Mary of Bethany.and Mary of Bethany.

She is believed to be the She is believed to be the first person to see Jesus first person to see Jesus risen from the tomb.risen from the tomb.

After Jesus

Magdalene is said to have retired to a hill where she gave herself up to a life of penance for thirty years.

When the time of her death arrived she was carried by angels to Aix and into the oratory of St. Maximinus.

Her body was then laid in an oratory constructed by St. Maximinus at Villa Lata.

Controversy

Many historians believe there is Many historians believe there is more to the relationship more to the relationship between Jesus and Mary. between Jesus and Mary.

Some say the two were a Some say the two were a couple.couple.

A few historians even venture to A few historians even venture to say they had a child and the say they had a child and the blood of Jesus still flows today.blood of Jesus still flows today.

They refer to this blood as the They refer to this blood as the “Holy Grail”.“Holy Grail”.

Recently a book was published Recently a book was published on the topic, called on the topic, called The DaVinci The DaVinci CodeCode..

A theory has been made that A theory has been made that Mary Magdalene is the author Mary Magdalene is the author of the fourth Gospel (the Gospel of the fourth Gospel (the Gospel of John).of John).

Most biblical scholars today Most biblical scholars today assert that the Fourth Gospel assert that the Fourth Gospel was authored by an anonymous was authored by an anonymous follower of Jesus referred to follower of Jesus referred to within the Gospel text as the within the Gospel text as the Beloved Disciple. Beloved Disciple.

It is further assumed that Mary It is further assumed that Mary Magdalene is the true founder Magdalene is the true founder of the Johannine Community. of the Johannine Community.

Mary Magdalene was one of the Mary Magdalene was one of the original apostolic founders and original apostolic founders and leaders of the early Christian leaders of the early Christian church.church.