Editor’s note: This saint series will feature a saint and how he or she is a meaningful example for us today.

Pope Francis wrote that “the saints help all the faithful” for “their lives are concrete proof that it is possible to put the Gospel into practice.” St. Mary Magdalene is an example of how we find our identity in Jesus and then we are sent on mission.

Mary Magdalene is mentioned in the Gospels twelve different times. This is rather frequent. Other than the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene is mentioned more than any other women in the Gospels. We are told in the Gospel of Mark that Mary Magdalene was cured by Jesus of seven demons (Mark 16:9). We also hear in the Gospels that Mary Magdalene accompanied Jesus and the Apostles in their ministry.

Mary Magdalene was also present at the crucifixion, burial, and the empty tomb of Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew notes that at the burial of Jesus, at the moment the stone was rolled across the entrance, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there, facing the tomb” (Matthew 27:61). Then very early on Sunday morning, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb” (Matthew 28:1). Mark tells us that Mary Magdalene and two others “bought spices so that they might go and anoint him (Jesus)” (Mark 16:1).

The Gospel of Luke tells us that Mary Magdalene and the other women present, upon seeing the empty tomb and encountering two men in dazzling garments that appeared, “returned from the tomb and announced these things to the eleven and to all the others” (Luke 24:9).

The Gospel of John is the most powerful testimony of Mary Magdalene. John mentions that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb alone early in the morning only to find that Jesus was not present. Mary Magdalene then went and told Peter that she thought someone must have taken Jesus from the tomb. Peter and John ran to the tomb only to find it empty, but they did not yet understand either. The two Apostles departed, but Mary Magdalene remained outside the tomb weeping. Then Mary Magdalene encountered two angels who asked her why she was weeping. She said, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him” (John 20:13). At that moment she turned around and saw Jesus, but she didn’t yet know it was Him.

Jesus said to her “Mary” and instantly Mary Magdalene recognized Him and said “Teacher” (John 20:16). Then Mary Magdalene announced the good news to the disciples.

Mary Magdalene found her identity in Jesus. The most powerful verse in the Gospels concerning Mary Magdalene is not how she went and announced the good news upon encountering Jesus resurrected. Rather, it is the verse where the resurrected Jesus says “Mary” and at that moment Mary Magdalene recognizes Jesus resurrected. Mary Magdalene found her identity in Jesus; hence how Jesus says her identity by saying her name. In discovering her identity from Jesus, she then goes out on mission announcing the good news. Notice the detail of how Mary Magdalene calls Jesus “Teacher.” Mary Magdalene saw her identity as one given by Jesus but also as one in which she was a disciple of Him.

The story of St. Mary Magdalene shows us that “it is possible to put the Gospel into practice.” Our culture is offering identification of identity through many false ideologies and techniques. The Mary Magdalene route is the surest way to go in finding one’s true identity: to encounter Jesus and hear Him say our name and give us our true identity.

Finding and re-finding one’s identity begins first in this basic spiritual principle that Mary Magdalene authentically exemplifies: having our eyes on Jesus more and on ourselves less.

This Easter Sunday, take a Mary Magdalene Moment to have one’s eyes on Jesus more and on oneself less and listen to Jesus as He shares with you your true identity.

Luke Daghir is a seminarian for the Diocese of Erie. He is with St. Joseph and St. Luke Parishes in Warren County for his parish mission. His favorite saints are St. Andrew, St. Ignatius, St. Hubert, and Pope St. John Paul II.