Mary of Magdala Celebration Planning Guides
In 1997, FutureChurch launched an international campaign to restore St. Mary of Magdala to her rightful place as the apostle to the apostles, asking supporters to sponsor special celebrations on or around July 22 at which a biblical expert would trace Mary’s unparalleled fidelity in accompanying Jesus through crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection. This would be followed by a prayer service at which a woman would preside, preach and encourage attendees to reflect on their own encounters with, and witness to, the risen Christ.
Annual celebrations of St. Mary of Magdala exploded after that, going from 23 that first year, to 150 the following year to between 250 to 400 celebrations worldwide in each year since. Every summer, thousands of women and men help correct an egregious injustice done to a great woman leader in our church.
2026: Easter Joy as Resistance
About this year’s celebration: We live in a moment marked by fear, violence, division, and the silencing of voices — in our world, in our church, and in our communities. And we believe Mary Magdalene’s witness speaks directly into this moment: a woman who carried grief to the tomb, who was called by name, and who was sent to proclaim that love is stronger than death. This year’s theme, Easter Joy as Resistance, reflects our conviction that joy is not a retreat from the suffering of our world. It is a holy act of resistance.
We invite you to host your own celebration, adapting this prayer service as necessary. This prayer service is yours to adapt. We have designed it to be flexible, and we encourage you to make it your own. Change the readings, adjust the language, add petitions to the litany of lament, substitute songs your congregation knows and loves. What matters is that your community gathers, names its grief, and proclaims Easter hope together.
If this theme does not meet your community’s needs, FutureChurch has an extensive library of celebration guides, which provide everything you need – prayers, readings, and music suggestions – to plan your own celebration. Click on the link below to get started!