Was Mary Magdalene a prostitute?

Mary Magdalene is probably one of the most recognized saints in the Catholic Church. She’s also one of those saints whose true history is obscured behind various stories and legends, from the early church to the modern era. Who was Mary Magdalene? Was she the woman who washed Jesus’ feet? Was she the same person as Mary of Bethany? 

According to multiple popular accounts, Mary Magdalene was a sex worker who converted and followed Jesus. According to a few arcane theories, she even married Jesus. The sex worker theory has been a popular one for centuries. People seem to enjoy stories about women who go from lives of transgression to lives of austere holiness. But is the story true? Where did it come from? And what are its roots—if any—in scripture and tradition? 

On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to guest Heidi Schlumpf about the origins, development, and accuracy of this tradition. Schlumpf is a senior correspondent and former executive editor of the National Catholic Reporter. She previously served as the managing editor of U.S. Catholic. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including CNN Opinion, Sojourners, and Huffington Post. She is the author of Elizabeth A. Johnson: Questing for God (Liturgical Press), and While We Wait: Spiritual & Practical Advice for Those Trying to Adopt (ACTA).

You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Schlumpf’s writing, in these links.

“Who framed Mary Magdalene?” by Heidi Schlumpf. https://uscatholic.org/articles/201603/who-framed-mary-magdalene/

“Nevertheless, Mary Magdalene persisted,” by Megan J. Clark. https://uscatholic.org/articles/201806/nevertheless-mary-magdalene-persisted/

“Mary Magdalene knew she was an apostle. Why don’t we?” by Alice Camille. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202304/mary-magdalene-knew-she-was-an-apostle-why-dont-we/

“Pope’s recent appointment of women is too little, too late,” by Heidi Schlumpf. https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/ncr-connections/popes-recent-appointment-women-too-little-too-late

“Women’s ordination, synodality and hope for the future,” by Heidi Schlumpf. https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/ncr-connections/womens-ordination-synodality-and-hope-future

Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries. https://www.claretians.org/