Novena to St. Mary Magdalene

  Posted on July 22, 2019  by admin  No comments

Day 1: The darkest hour just before dawn

Reading
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

Wondering
What drew Mary back to the tomb? What went through her mind as she looked into the tomb? What was going through it as she ran back to Simon Peter and the disciple Jesus loved – probably John who recorded this account of the resurrection?

Contemplating
You might like to spend a few minutes reading the Scripture passage and see if any words or phrases seem to be especially significant. How might God be speaking to you? You might like to jot down any thoughts in a spiritual journal.

or…

Spend a few minutes building the scene. It can be helpful to put yourself in the shoes of a film director working to recapture the atmosphere of the scene. You could even sketch out the scene. What would the scenery be like? Where do the main characters appear from? How are they behaving? Are there any “extras” – and where are they – what are they doing? Then, try to put yourself into one of the characters to see how it might have seemed to them… how might they have been feeling?

Reflecting
Of all outcomes, this was the least expected – how could the empty tomb be explained? This was beyond their experience. How might some of the feelings of those in the Gospel be echoed in your own experience? Pray for those for whom this time is a period of confusion and fear.

Prayer
Mary of Magdalene, woman at the tomb. You did not yet know what awaited you but felt confusion – doubt and loss. Pray for those whose feelings you so well understand. Guide us through your story to the hope of resurrection.
Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be…

Day 2: Going to see for themselves

Reading
Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

Wondering
What do the people watching the disciples make of seeing two grown men running through the streets? What might have been going through the disciples’ minds as they ran?

Contemplating
Spend a few minutes reading the Scripture passage and see if any words or phrases seem to be especially significant to you. What might God be saying to you – perhaps, in your own life. If you are using a spiritual journal, add any thoughts or insights.

or…

Spend a few minutes building the scene. Use the film-director approach if that worked yesterday or allow the scene to build in your imagination. What new insights emerge as you contemplate this part of the story?

Reflecting
Often people will tell us something but we sense the need to go and see for ourselves. Many things go through our minds – all sorts of possibilities – we can get carried away by our imaginations. Pray for those who may be caught up in “fearing the worst”.

Prayer
Mary of Magdalena, as you ran back to the tomb you knew to be empty, your heart and mind were in turmoil. Pray for those who fear the worst who are troubled by what might be. Guide us through your story to the promise that all shall be well.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be…

Day 3: Waiting … and acting …
 

Reading
The disciple bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there.

Wondering
Why did the disciple Jesus loved wait even though he had seen the linen wrappings? What might have been going through his mind? What about Peter? What was his reaction to what he saw? What gave him the courage to go into the tomb of one who had been dead for two days

Contemplating
Spend a few minutes reading the Scripture passage and see if any words or phrases seem to be especially significant. Why might the word or phrase be important – in your own life? Make a mental note of any insights or jot down any thoughts in a spiritual journal.

or…

Spend a few minutes building the scene in whatever way is helpful – in the shoes of a film director – or sketching the scene. What insights do you get from the action in this part of the story? How are people reacting as it unfolds? 

Reflecting
There is a time for waiting – and a time for finding the courage to act in ways we would not have thought possible. Pray for those for whom this is a time of waiting … and for those for whom it is time to find the courage to do things they do not yet think they can.

Prayer
Mary of Magdalena, you waited at the foot of the cross but found courage to return to the tomb to anoint your Lord. Pray for those who wait and those finding the courage to act. Guide us all through your story to the hope of resurrection. Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be…

Day 4: Seeing and believing

Reading
Peter saw the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head (was) not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.

Wondering
Why does John point out the detail about the cloth that had covered Jesus’ face? How does seeing the grave clothes as they are lead him to believe – and what is he believing in at this moment – he has not yet seen the Lord?

Contemplating
Spend a few minutes reading and reflecting on the Scripture passage. What springs to mind as you ponder the words and phrases? How might these ideas feed into your own life? Jot down any thoughts in a spiritual journal. Are any threads beginning to emerge?

or…

Spend a few minutes building the scene. How might a film director film the scene? What would they focus on? What kind of atmosphere would they be trying to create? How do the participants in this drama feel at this point?

Reflecting
We cannot always say what leads us to believe… quite often it is a glimpse – a moment when we recognise that there is something beyond what we can see and touch. It is this faith that sustains us through the any changes that happen in our lives. Pray for a strengthening of faith for those who feel on the fringes or marginalised.

Prayer
Mary of Magdalena, woman of faith, pray for those whose belief is tested who feel that they are not good enough who feel they do not belong. Guide us all through your story to the hope of resurrection.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…

Day 5: Faith leading to understanding

Reading
As yet they did not understand the scripture that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Wondering
What was the mood of the disciples as they turned back to go home? What were their expectations about what might happen next?

Contemplating
A very short piece but continue to read it through a few times, allowing the words to sink deep within you. Are there words or insights from the passage than seem important as we pass the halfway point in our Novena,

or…

Spend a few minutes building the scene in whatever way you find most helpful. How do the disciples take their leave of Mary? What is the “feel” of the scene at this point?

Reflecting
Faith often comes before understanding. We believe – but may have to reflect – read – contemplate – experience something differently before we move to understanding. Reflecting and learning how to make our faith yet more alive and active is for some people exciting – for others it is a challenge. Pray for people who are excited – and those who are challenged.

Prayer
Mary of Magdalena, you did not understand but you believed. Pray for as we seek to understand more fully what God wills for us. Pray for those for whom this is an exciting time and for those for whom it is difficult and challenging. Guide us all through your story to the hope of resurrection.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…

Day 6: Staying in the dark places…

Reading
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.

Wondering
What is Mary’s state of mind now? What might her reaction have been to seeing the two angels?

Contemplating
As you ponder the reading, which words or phrases seem to be especially significant to you. What might God be saying to you – perhaps, for your own life and for your community. If you are using a spiritual journal, add any thoughts or insights – and perhaps look back to see if there are any links that are beginning to form.

or…

Spend a few minutes building the scene using whatever technique has helped you over recent days. Try to put yourself in Mary’s shoes as the scene begins to move to its fulfillment.

Reflecting
Mary is struggling to come to terms with what is happening… but still she stays in the place where things don’t yet make sense. This is a feeling we can identify with … sometimes we do need to walk away from something but on other occasions we realise we have to stay in a spiritual place until God deems it the right time to offer us the revelation that allows us to move on.
Pray for those who find themselves “stuck” – whose faith feels empty and whose prayer seems dry.

Prayer
Mary of Magdala, you still did not know what was to come but your love for the Lord held you by his tomb. Pray for those who are in dark places who feel without hope and for whom the idea of a Pastoral Plan feels burdensome. Guide us all through your story to the hope of resurrection.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…

Day 7: Not knowing what is to come…

They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

Wondering
Is Mary comforted by the words of the angels – or further confused? She turns and sees Jesus but does not yet recognise him… why not?

Contemplating
We are reaching the climax of the story – but are not there yet… Read the passage a few times and see what ideas or thoughts begin to emerge. Make a note of your thoughts – jot them down and, if you are using the Novena in a group, prepare to receive the insights of others.

or…

Spend a few minutes building the scene in whatever way you have found has worked for you. What fears might be within Mary at this point – and what hope against hope?

Reflecting
We who know the story know what’s coming and have a feeling of anticipation – but Mary does not. We ourselves sometimes wonder: what will be asked of me? Will I like what I see and hear? Pray for a willingness to wait to see what God is to reveal…

Prayer
Mary of Magdalena, still sorrowful, even you could not at first recognise your Lord. Guide us all through your story to the hope of resurrection.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…

Day 8: The moment of recognition…

Reading
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him and I will take him away.”Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him, “Rabbouni!” (which means “Teacher).

Wondering
How did Jesus approach Mary? At what point did Mary recognise her Lord?

Contemplating
One of our longest pieces in the account of Mary on that first Easter morning… Read it through several times and allow any significant words or phrases to sink into your soul. Why are they important to you? Make a note of them and prepare to use them to feed into your mind and spirit.

or…

Spend a few minutes building the scene in whatever way you find most helpful.  If as a film director – enjoy the scene unfolding… if in imagination – simply enjoy!

Reflecting
Many people have moments of recognising something that holds promise and builds on the many good things that have been happening. Pray for them for the moment of grace which may affect the rest of their lives.

Prayer
Mary of Magdalena, your moment of recognition echoes down the centuries as we learn to recognise our Lord in Word and Communion. Pray for those experiencing such a moment of recognising something founded on the rich legacy of faith and love of countless millions of believers around the world. Pray too for those who contributed to its development. Guide us all through your story to the hope of resurrection.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…

Day 9: Go and tell…

Reading
Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me because I have not yet ascended to my Father. But go and tell my disciples and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ “Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Wondering
It seems a little of the story has been missed out… what might Mary’s reaction have been that caused Jesus to tell her not to cling to him? What about when she is sent to the disciples? And what of their reaction?

Contemplating
Read the passage a few times and see what ideas or thoughts emerge. Look back over your journal or take a mental trip back over the last nine days. Read the whole story reminding yourself of the thoughts that accompanied it. Spend a few minutes building the scene in whatever way you have found has worked for you.  Allow the scene to play out in your mind. How do the feelings change?

Reflecting
We are people, like Mary, with a mission – to tell people what we have seen what we have heard – what we believe. Pray that we may live faithfully the command to go and tell…

Prayer
Mary of Magdalena, woman of the resurrection. Pray for us as we too go and tell what we know that Jesus is alive and at work through us. Guide us all through your story teach us to live always in the light of the resurrection.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…