Why Mary Magdalene Is the Perfect Companion for Catholic Single Women

Three days after my 37th birthday, I went to visit the Holy Land.

In many ways, I am still unpacking and reflecting on the experience months later. There were challenges and surprises, but also just as many sacred holy moments that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

One of the surprises turned out to be the most meaningful experience of my pilgrimage. It was Magdala—the small seaside village near the Sea of Galilee which was the hometown of Mary Magdalene. 

The day our group went to Magdala started out feeling difficult for me. The day before we had visited Cana—the site of Jesus’ first public miracle at a wedding. It is a practice for married couples who visit to renew their wedding vows.

Can I be honest? I was dreading going to Cana. For a 37-year-old woman who desires to be married, seeing other couples renew vows I long to someday share with someone felt painful for my little heart. I went to bed that evening with a heavy heart.

But it all changed when we visited Magdala.

The next day began with a morning boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, and then we drove a short distance to Magdala.

In the time of Jesus, Magdala was a major trade center on the north-west shore of the Sea of Galilee. Here fishermen sold their catch to be salted and preserved for export to Rome and other locations throughout the empire.

However, this little town’s fame is due to one particular woman—Mary Magdalene. Rather than being identified as the daughter of her father or wife of her husband (which was the norm), she is identified by the city in which she lived. This likely indicates she was an unmarried, independent, and perhaps even a wealthy woman. 

While history has often dragged her name through the mud, the Bible identified her as the woman whom Jesus had cast out seven demons (Luke 8:2, Mark 16:9). Luke’s Gospel also mentions Mary among the women who accompanied Jesus and supported his public ministry. She was of his inner circle of closest friends, and was one of the few who stood at the foot of the Cross. She is also the first recorded witness of the Resurrection and was given the title “apostle to the apostles.”

The simple chapel overlooks the Sea of Galilee and the altar is shaped into a boat. 

At the beginning of Mass, I started to cry. I was crying for lots of things: feeling physically tired, grieving the loss of my dad, not having the desire of my heart, etc. At some point during the tears, it was almost as if I felt the presence of this daughter of the town called Magdala come and sit beside me—hugging me, sistering my heart through what I was feeling.

Mary of Magdala came and sat with me in that pew, almost as if to say, “I get it. I understand what you are feeling.” For my little girl self who always wanted a big sister, I think I finally met and found one in Mary Magdalene.

And in the tiniest, gentle voice came one question: “Jesus was enough for Mary of Magdala, is He enough for you?”

That hit me in the depths of my spirit and is still emotional to talk about to this day. I broke down and just wept and wept. I couldn’t stop. I just let the tears fall and let myself be wrapped in Mary’s embrace.

I know that question didn’t come from me because it wrecked me afterward.

In that moment in that chapel, I felt like Mary Magdalene got me. She understood what it feels like to not have life go as you imagined; to wait, wonder, and hope. I felt her come and sister my heart right where my own life finds me right now.

I think Mary of Magdala can be the perfect companion for Catholic single women.

She had an important role and story to play in the ministry of Jesus as a single woman. And while it may not feel like it for me or you sometimes, singleness is not a result of you doing something wrong or “missing” the boat on your vocation.

Perhaps you are like me and desire to be married and sense it is your vocation—but for a number of reasons, you have not met your life partner yet.

I wonder if maybe Mary of Magdala can be a big sister to you too—walking with you through life right where God finds you.

Saint Mary of Magdala, be a sister, friend, and companion, to those of us women who are single. Walk with us. Amen.