May 18, 2026

Inspired by the spirit of Louis de Wohl’s lives of the saints and Mark Twain’s Joan of Arc, I offer this historical fiction for our times. Becoming Magdalene is more than history, more than fiction. It is the transforming journey of a disciple. Through a unique and fresh lens, is an invitation to discover yourself in this enigmatic saint. Witness the existential tensions present in every human heart in the search for identity and belonging. See her struggle with relationships and overcome the wounds, defense mechanisms, and false perceptions of self and God. Listen for interior movements of the heart, indicative of the multiple influences at play in the spiritual life. Step into the messiness of life that has potential to reconcile rifts and fulfill grand and noble desires as she walks with the Lord.

My personal prayer, extensive contact with sacred scriptures, research into multiple historical sources, and firsthand ministry in her hometown, Ancient Magdala, inform every chapter. This gives credibility and foundation to creative license. My pastoral work in spiritual direction, Ignatian spiritual exercises, and an extensive knowledge of Catholic spirituality, including Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross’ works, inform the profound interior experiences described in the life of Mary Magdalene.

Young adults, men and women, lay or religious will watch her life unfold. She becomes the Apostle to the Apostles as she learns from mistakes, resists yet grows in faith, falls and stands again. Healed and called by her Rabboni, she matures in interior freedom and love through a purifying process of vulnerability. Pray, laugh, cry, and rejoice with her as the heart of a disciple is forged.

Mary Magdalene experiences adventures that will help us enter into the mysteries of our faith, encounter the Risen Lord, and face everyday life challenges. It can be read for pleasure, for historical curiosity, for faith growth and for spiritual reading. I pray that you will be moved to listen to the Lord’s call to become his disciple as you read Becoming Magdalene: The Transforming Journey of a Disciple.

Mary Magdalene was real. Her life challenges, struggles, and joys were real. Her life was truly transformed by Jesus. Therefore, it must be possible to “unearth” pieces of what was real by digging through the layers of two thousand years of reflection about her. In the process of discovery, may we “unveil the mystery” that Mary Magdalene embodies, and glean treasures for our own life that can inspire purpose and meaning. Mary Magdalene: Insights from Ancient Magdala by Jennifer Ristine, is the culmination of her service at the recently excavated site of Magdala in the Holy Land from 2014-2018. She shares her research, dialogue, and answers to questions from countless visitors to Magdala. Through archaeological discoveries, historical texts, scriptural sources, and a survey of traditions, she offers a mosaic-like representation of the figure and importance of Mary Magdalene.

ENDORSEMENTS:

Readers will find a well-researched work that covers every aspect and theory posited about St. Mary Magdalene from a picture of life in the Magdala of Mary’s time uncovered by archaeology, through the various known, traditional, and theoretical narratives of her life and work, to the depiction of this powerful and enigmatic woman in art. Importantly, beyond fact and theory, the author gracefully creates the link between the experiences of Mary’s life and the message of redemption she lived and proclaimed and then translates this to the life of the reader making this so much more than a scholarly look at Mary Magdalene but a work of hope quite relevant to today.
Maribeth Stewart, President, National Council of Catholic Women

Every Christian disciple has so much to learn from the real Mary Magdalene. Jennifer Ristine helps sift fact from fiction, Gospel from pseudo-gospel, feminine genius from feminine gnosticism, in a way that will help everyone get to know, love and imitate the once demon-dominated woman who became the great Apostle to the Apostles. This is a book to buy, read and gift to friends and family.
Fr. Roger J. Landry, Author of Plan of Life: Habits to Help You Grow Closer to God

Through engaging deeply with ancient Jewish Magdala and with the rich legends surrounding this first century Jewish woman, Mary Magdalene, Jennifer Ristine has truly shown the fruitfulness of delving into the Jewish roots of Christianity. Magdala has all the possibility and responsibility to be a true site of Jewish-Christian encounter. This book is an important piece of that encounter.
Dr. Faydra L. Shapiro, Executive Director of the Israel Center for Jewish-Christian Relations