A new and unique work of historical fiction on Mary Magdalene has just been released. Jennifer Ristine, Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi, shares about her own journey of writing and publishing four works related to Saint Mary Magdalene.
Saint Mary Magdalene became a good friend back in 2006, or rather, I think that she befriended me. Eight years later, I was sent to her hometown in the Holy Land. Together we preached the kerygma to thousands of pilgrims and visitors, coming from the four corners of the world to Ancient Magdala. Friendship with many saints inspires and encourages me in my walk with Jesus, but she has been a particularly close friend. I hope one day to “have a cup of coffee” and chat about all I got right and wrong. And she can set me straight. Until then, may whatever I have written bring many to Jesus with the intercession of this great saint.
Mary Magdalene: Insights from Ancient Magdala is the fruit of three years of living and working in Ancient Magdalene. I had fielded multiple questions about Mary Magdalene and Magdala’s history and archaeology from pilgrims, historians, tour guides, archaeologist, journalists and television newscasters, believers and non-believers, Jews, Catholics and Protestants. From these encounters, I heard every theory under the sun about her, the great debates about her past life, and beliefs about her present role in our lives.
Amidst diversity and controversy, I sensed that the essence of her message was easily obscured: we are all called to a personal and loving encounter with the Lord and from there, become his faithful disciple. In Insights, I offer a panoramic survey of various theories from the lens of first century Ancient Magdala’s history, geography, and archaeology. I look at what scripture tells us about her. Then I turn to theories through the centuries from apocryphal gospels to the Church Fathers, debates through the centuries, relics and devotions and art. Through all of this, I look for common threads in the various ideas that have surfaced, hoping to catch a glimpse of the authentic Mary Magdalene and finish by reflecting on her relevance for our contemporary age, particularly in learning to love in authentic freedom.
It was first published in 2018, my last year serving in Ancient Magdala. And just recently, I self-published the revised edition with updates.
My second work came to fruition in 2019. It is a simple novena reflection, Nine Days with Mary Magdalene. The spiritual reflections are accompanied by beautiful images thanks to a talented Magdala volunteer, Danielle Storey. It walks through her transforming journey from an existential longing for “something more” to her encounters with Jesus as alluded to in Sacred Scripture, to her life after the resurrection according to various traditions.
The third work, Becoming Magdalene is a work of historical fiction that brings together all I learnt and pondered over the years. An unexpected blessing occurred from 2020-2025. I moved to Spain where I studied, lived and prayed in the footsteps of the great 16th century Spanish saints: Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. I became even more convinced that every saint continues to not only inspire and intercede for us, but they share their spiritual goods with us for our own sanctification and relationship with the Lord and for the sake of building up the Body of Christ.
My prayer and imagination continued to turn to Mary Magdalene and the interior experience of her transforming journey. Her experience of the merciful and unconditional love of Jesus culminated in becoming the great Apostle to the Apostles. But there is so much we can ponder. What happened interiorly before, during, in between, and after those profound encounters with Christ? That is the “soul” of Becoming Magdalene.
Finally, I also created a Companion to Becoming Magdalene, which accompanies Becoming Magdalen for those who wish to follow her story while entering into Saint Ignatius’ spiritual exercises’ dynamic and praying about their own journey with the Lord. It is ideal for individual devotion, retreats, or group study.
For me personally, Mary Magdalene has been a good friend and a partner in the mission, inspiring me to believe in Jesus’ unconditional and personal love, open myself to his transforming work in my own life, and letting him lead me, even through life’s crosses. She inspires me with her passionate and pure love for Jesus that she cannot contain when she encounters Him after his resurrection. She is an icon of hope to many living in fear, darkness or confusion. And I ask her, as a friend close to Jesus, to help me be a disciple like her, pointing people to the resurrected Christ.
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ENDORSEMENTS
Jennifer Ristine brings Mary Magdalene to vivid life, revealing the childhood wounds that shaped her into the woman we encounter in the Gospels—and how Jesus transformed her into the model of a female disciple. Weaving biblical scholarship with Ignatian spirituality, Ristine creates an original retreat experience. Following the “apostle of the apostles” through her story, familiar Gospel scenes come alive in startling new ways, while you discover the deeper terrain of your own wounded heart in need of divine mercy. A reading experience that becomes a spiritual journey—where Mary Magdalene’s story of redemption becomes a mirror for your own.
-Dr. Nina Heereman, author of Athirst for the Spirit: Biblical Wisdom for Desert Times
Becoming Magdalene is a luminous work that blends fidelity to Scripture with imaginative depth. It invites readers into Mary’s journey with Christ, stirring the heart toward deeper faith, love, and discipleship.
– Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, author of The Narrative Spirituality of Dante’s Divine Comedy