Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, sister of Saint Lazarus and Saint Martha, a close friend of Jesus. After leading a dissolute life, she was freed from seven demons and became a disciple of Our Lord, following him to Calvary. “Her many sins have been forgiven, because she has shown great love,” Jesus said (Lk 7:47). She had the privilege of being the first to recognize the risen Divine Master. According to tradition, she and the other members of the family of Bethany were placed by the Jews in a boat that reached Marseille in southern France, where she is greatly venerated.