I came across Donatello’s Penitent Magdalene (1454-1455) in my undergraduate course. I was intrigued by how her long her covered her whole body.

Artists have often depicted Magdalene with long hair as a sign of her conversion toward Christ.

Her witness is critical on Easter morning. John gives the only account of Magdalene’s meeting with the Risen Christ. Her witness ” the first to bear witness to him before the Apostles. This event, in a sense, “crowns all that has been said previously about Christ entrusting divine truths to women as well as men.”¹ Pope Saint Gregory called her testis divinae misericordiae (witness to divine mercy).

I find immense hope in the life of Mary Magdalene! No matter where I am on my journey, Christ will always come to meet me. As immense as the universe may be, Jesus knows where to find me, Jesus knows my name. When he utters my name, my heart is moved and I recognize him as my Teacher. He calls me to be witness of his mercy.

1. Mulieris dignitatem 16, John Paul II ↩︎