FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 22, 2021
Washington, D.C.: As the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St. Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles, on July 22, supporters of women’s ordination created displays of red eggs to decorate cathedrals and Church buildings around the country, using a symbol associated with Mary Magdalene that signifies that nothing will be impossible with God. In Chicago, Philadelphia, and Denver, these displays of red eggs honor the beauty of the diaconal and priestly vocations of all genders, even those that are dismissed by the institutional Church. Later today, there will be a vigil in Chicago at the Archbishop Quigley offices at 835 N. Rush St. at 4:30 p.m. CT. There will also be a vigil and procession in Washington, D.C. from the Dupont Circle fountain to St. Matthew’s Cathedral at 1725 Rhode Island Ave. NW, beginning at 8:00 p.m EDT. St. Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus’ closest followers and the first to see the risen Christ in the garden next to his tomb. His command to “go and tell” the disciples the news of the Resurrection makes her the first person commissioned by Jesus to proclaim the Gospel. And in Eastern Orthodox tradition, when she went with an egg, a symbol of resurrection, to the Roman Emperor to proclaim that Jesus had risen, the egg miraculously turned red in her hand as proof that God could do the impossible. The unfortunate truth today is that the Church continues to insist that the ordination of people of all genders is “impossible,” despite the reality that the people of God know the contrary to be true. Every authentic call from God has beauty and vitality, and stands as a symbol of bright creativity. The Women’s Ordination Conference continues to urge the Catholic Church to receive the gifts of all people who long to offer their priestly vocations to serve the people of God. So, on Mary Magdalene’s feast day, we claim her as our patron saint as we continue to reject man-made laws that discriminate against women and hinder the work of proclaiming the Good News. We walk with her as model and guide as we fearlessly proclaim God’s love and inclusion.
See and download photos of our egg displays below: |
