A common complaint among a cross sampling of the faithful, from fervent Mass-goers to “lapsed” Catholics, is that they do not feel heard. Recently, Pope Francis has invited all Catholics to participate in a process of synodality, where Catholics talk and leaders listen. The goal is to help bishops, pastors, rectors and theologians understand the struggles, insights, frustrations and religious experiences of a wide spectrum of Catholics, the better to minister to real people living real lives in the real world.
There is no better patron for the synodal process than the saint entrusted with the Resurrection message, who was disbelieved and discounted by the Eleven Apostles.
Mary Magdalene played a pivotal part in the central Christian belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. She should know. She talked to him. The Gospels claim she was the very first person to encounter the Risen Christ. The problem was the male disciples were products of a patriarchal society that did not accept the testimony of women.