Saint Mary Magdalene

On June 3, 2016, the Holy See raised the liturgical rank of the Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene to a Feast, with the date remaining on July 22. A new Preface before the Eucharistic Prayer for the Feast was also promulgated in Latin.

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments confirmed the English translation of the Preface for the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene on September 21, 2019. It may be used during Masses in honor of St. Mary Magdalene, especially her Feast on July 22, beginning in 2020.

The proper liturgical text in English (including musical notation) of the Preface in honor of Saint Mary Magdalene is found below:

Preface for the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

Preface: Apostle to the Apostles

Chant Setting

V. The Lord be with you. R. And with your spirit.
V. Lift up your hearts. R. We lift them up to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. R. It is right and just.

It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
to glorify you in all things, almighty Father,
whose mercy is not less than your power,
through Christ our Lord.

He appeared in the garden
and revealed himself to Mary Magdalene,
who had loved him in life,
witnessed him dying on the Cross,
sought him as he lay in the tomb,
and was the first to adore him, newly risen from the dead.
He honored her with the office of being an apostle to the Apostles,
so that the good news of new life
might reach the ends of the earth.

And so, Lord, with all the Angels and Saints,
we, too, give you thanks, as in exultation we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts…

The English translation of the Preface of Saint Mary Magdalene © 2017 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); excerpt from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010 ICEL. All rights reserved.