Vatican City: The Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Archbishop Arthur Roche, says Pope Francis’ decision to raise the celebration of the memorial of St Mary Magdalen to the dignity of a liturgical Feast reflects the importance of this female disciple and women in general within the life of the Church. Archbishop Roche was interviewed by Susy Hodges:
Asked to explain the significance of the Pope’s decision and the message it sends, Archbishop Roche said it reflects the Holy Father’s view about “the importance of women and their role within the life of the Church.”
He said it also reflects the valuable role women can play in the new evangelization because they can reach places to spread the gospel where men do not readily go.
The archbishop also drew attention to Mary Magdalen’s important role as the first witness to Christ’s Resurrection and as the person who announced that momentous event to the Apostles. He noted it was Mary Magdalen’s sense of compassion, love and anxiety that drew her to Christ’s tomb.
“Christ showed her (Mary Magdalen) a very special mercy by appearing to her and also by giving her this remarkable role of telling the apostles that the Lord had risen,” Archbishop Roche said.
(Source: Vatican Radio)