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