Mary Magdalene by Adriana Valerio

Author:Adriana Valerio
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Europa Editions
Published: 2021-06-07T00:00:00+00:00

“Christ first appeared to women for no other reason than his resurrection would thus be published to the world immediately and as rapidly as possible. Since women are garrulous, the whole city immediately learns what they know. It is the case that a woman may testify according neither to divine nor to human law. And therefore Christ could not have them as witnesses to his resurrection, since their testimony is invalid.” (Disputatio Nova Contra Mulieres/A New Argument Against Women, 1595)20

In her opposition to Orazio Plata, Arcangela Tarabotti underlines Christ’s choice as given by his gratitude for having received help and compassion from “womanly piety and goodness.” Contrary to the men who had betrayed and abandoned him, the women took care of him. For this, “he wanted to elect them as the genuine witnesses of his resurrection” and appeared “to his very beloved apostle” (Che le donne).

Mary Magdalene was the favorite saint of many religious Catholic women, from Teresa of Ávila to Therese of Lisieux, and of mystics who even chose her name in a sort of hagiographic imitation. Examples are Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi (christened Caterina) and Mary Magdalene Martinengo (christened Margherita). Also women linked to the Protestant Reformation took on the model represented by Mary Magdalene. Although the Protestant Reformation rested on the centrality of the Bible and the recognition of universal priesthood, it neither changed the condition of women immediately nor did it easily surpass preconceived anthropological notions and cultural models. The women who appealed for a different and more significant consideration within the Church did not have an easy time. The example given by Mary Magdalene and the other female disciples has served to ask for dignity and roles. Margaret Fell, one of the founders of the Quaker movement, championed women and fought for their right to preach.

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