Magdalene sacred journeys

23/08/2026

The first encounter with Mary Magdalene.

In the silence of the crypt, we stood before her…
A sacred moment, beyond words.
The beginning of a beautiful sacred journey with Mary Magdalene.

20/08/2026

"The trees and the rocks will teach you what you cannot learn from masters."— Attributed to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Today, August 20, we celebrate Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.
When we think of Bernard, history often remembers the influential Cistercian abbot, the preacher of the Second Crusade, or the spiritual guide of the early Knights Templar. His legacy is undeniably complex, reflecting both the light and the shadows of the Middle Ages.

But today, I'd like to remember him for something that feels especially relevant.

When Hildegard of Bingen began receiving extraordinary visions, she doubted herself. Unsure whether to speak publicly, she reached out to Bernard, one of the most respected spiritual leaders of her time.
Instead of dismissing her, Bernard recognized the sincerity of her experience. He encouraged her and supported the recognition of her writings before Pope Eugenius III. That support helped open the door for Hildegard's voice to be heard—a voice that continues to inspire millions nearly nine centuries later.
It reminds me that one of the greatest gifts we can offer another person is not advice, but trust.

Sometimes history is changed because someone believes in another person's calling before they can believe in it themselves.
On this feast of Saint Bernard, may we become people who recognize the gifts of others, encourage them to step forward, and trust that the Divine often speaks through unexpected voices.

19/08/2026

Today we celebrate Saint Helena — a woman who became a pilgrim.
Helena was not born an empress. She came from a humble background and, for many years, lived in the shadow of a powerful man. She was eventually cast aside.
Yet later in life, everything changed.
When her son Constantine became Emperor, Helena was named Augusta. But perhaps her greatest journey was not one of power — it was a journey of faith.

At an advanced age, she travelled to the Holy Land in search of the places and traces of Christ. Tradition tells us that she discovered the True Cross in Jerusalem.
I love this image of Helena as a woman searching for what had almost been forgotten.

And there is a beautiful Provençal tradition that brings her even closer to my own work with Mary Magdalene.
In the crypt of the Basilica of Saint-Maximin, the ancient sarcophagus traditionally associated with Mary Magdalene is sometimes said to have been offered by Constantine and Helena as a sign of their conversion.
We cannot establish this with certainty. But I find the story deeply evocative:

Helena, the pilgrim searching for the traces of Christ — and Mary Magdalene, the first witness of the Resurrection — meeting across the centuries in Provence.
Perhaps this is why I love pilgrimage: we don't simply visit ancient places.
We follow the threads of memory, and listen to what they still have to tell us.

09/08/2026

n a few days, I will begin sharing something very special.
As we prepare for the Feast of the Assumption, I would love to invite you to join me for three days of prayer and reflection.
Together we will slow down, open the Scriptures, discover a sacred fragrance each day, and prepare our hearts for this beautiful feast.

August 13 – Mary's First Yes
August 14 – The Dormition: Resting in God's Hands
August 15 – The Assumption: Created for Glory

No matter where you are in the world, I hope you will walk these three days with me.
If you know someone who might enjoy this journey, please feel free to share this invitation.
Walk with us through Three Days with Mary by signing the Newsletter at www.magdalenesacredjourneys.com
I look forward to praying with you.

27/07/2026

The Heart of Mary Magdalene's Feast Day in Provence

Before sunrise, the streets of Saint-Maximin came alive as our traditional aubades and bravades began. Accompanied by drums and Provençal music, the Bravadaires walked through the old town, announcing the feast day of Mary Magdalene according to a tradition that has been cherished for centuries.

The day continued with the Solemn Mass in the Basilica, followed by the procession of Mary Magdalene's reliquary through the streets of the city—a deeply moving moment where faith, history, and living tradition come together.

One of my greatest joys this year was seeing so many young people taking part alongside older generations. This is how traditions endure.
At the festive meal, each guest received a commemorative biscuit specially created for Santo Madaleno 2026—a small keepsake of a joyful and unforgettable celebration.

As president of the Santo Madaleno Association, I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped make these beautiful days possible.
Living traditions are not memories of the past; they are gifts we choose to pass on.

From Provence, with gratitude.

21/07/2026

Today, on 21 July, the Church remembers Saint Victor of Marseille—a young Roman officer who chose fidelity to Christ over power, privilege, and even life itself.
On the eve of the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, I cannot help but think of the profound spiritual thread that unites them.
The ancient Abbey of Saint Victor is far more than a historic monument. It is one of the sacred hearts of early Christianity in Provence. It keeps alive the memory of the first disciples who, according to our Provençal tradition, found refuge on these shores: Lazarus, Mary Magdalene, and the first Christian community who carried the light of the Gospel into Gaul.
Saint Victor gave his life in AD 303 rather than deny Christ. Even under torture, he continued to proclaim the Gospel, converting his prison guards before his martyrdom. His witness became one of the foundations upon which the Christian faith in Marseille would flourish.
Deep within the crypt rests another silent treasure: Our Lady of the Confession, the ancient Black Madonna who has watched over generations of pilgrims for centuries. This beloved Virgin holds a very special place in my own family history, for she granted a miracle to my grandfather—a grace that has made this sanctuary forever sacred to my heart.
As we prepare to celebrate Saint Mary Magdalene tomorrow, may we remember all those whose courage, faith, and quiet perseverance helped preserve the Christian presence in Provence: Saint Victor, Saint Lazarus, Mary Magdalene, the first disciples, and the faithful who kept the flame alive through the centuries.
Their story is not only history.

It is an invitation to become bearers of hope in our own time

12/07/2026

Would you like to spend nine days walking with Mary Magdalene?
Join me from Provence for a free online novena leading to her feast on July 22.
On July 22, Christians around the world celebrate the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, the first witness of the Resurrection and the woman whom Christian tradition has called "the Apostle to the Apostles."
This year, I invite you to join me for a special journey from Provence, where her memory has been lovingly preserved for centuries.
For nine days, you will receive a short daily meditation inspired by the Gospel, the living traditions of Provence, and the extraordinary witness of Mary Magdalene.
Together we will journey through:
Mercy
Listening
Friendship with Christ
The Cross
The Empty Tomb
The Resurrection
Our call to become witnesses of hope
The novena is free, and each meditation will be delivered directly to your inbox from July 14 to July 22
Join me here :
https://themagdalenelettersprovence.substack.com/p/nine-days-with-mary-magdalene?r=4z0p7u

If you know someone who loves Mary Magdalene or is looking for a deeper spiritual journey, I would be grateful if you shared this invitation.
I look forward to praying these nine days with you from Provence.

The Love That Raises Us Up — A free online novena from July 14 to July 22.

10/07/2026

She endured the worst. But she refused to be defined by it.
Born on July 8, 1593, Artemisia Gentileschi became one of the greatest painters of the Baroque.
She painted women who suffer.
Women who resist.
Women who act.
And in her extraordinary "Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy", she painted something else: a woman transformed from within.
What can this remarkable artist — and her unforgettable Mary Magdalene — still reveal to us today?
I explore this question in my latest letter:
"Artemisia Gentileschi: Painting Her Way Back to Life"

Read the full article and join "The Magdalene Letters from Provence":
https://themagdalenelettersprovence.substack.com/p/artemisia-gentileschi-painting-her

29/06/2026

Today, on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, I would like to pay a special tribute to Saint Paul, the tireless pilgrim of the Gospel.
Nothing in his early life suggested he would become one of Christianity's greatest apostles.
A devoted Pharisee, Saul persecuted the first Christians until the day the Risen Christ met him on the road to Damascus. That encounter transformed everything. From then on, Paul dedicated his entire life to proclaiming the Good News, traveling through Asia Minor, Greece, Cyprus, and eventually Rome.
During his first missionary journey, Paul came to Paphos, Cyprus. According to Christian tradition, he was tied to a stone pillar here and flogged before continuing his mission. That pillar still stands today.
I could pray before this place of profound history and faith (see photo below). Standing beside this ancient stone, I reflected on the extraordinary courage of a man who never stopped proclaiming Christ, despite suffering, persecution, and imprisonment.

It is at this very pillar that we will pause during our "From Aphrodite to Mother Mary" Pilgrimage in 2027. Walking where Saint Paul walked offers a powerful opportunity to reflect on the conversion that forever changed the course of Christian history.

On this feast day, may Saints Peter and Paul inspire each of us to answer God's call with courage, faith, and perseverance.

Read the full article :

Today, on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, I would like to pay a special tribute to Saint Paul, the tireless pilgrim of the Gospel.

29/06/2026

Today, June 27, we celebrate Our Lady of Perpetual Help, one of the most beloved icons in the Christian world.
At first glance, we see a mother holding her child close. Yet, when we take the time to contemplate the image, every detail reveals a profound meaning.
Why is the Child Jesus losing a sandal? Why does his gaze seem filled with dread? Why are the archangels already carrying the instruments of the Passion? And what is the significance of the gold background that bathes the entire scene in light?
This icon is not merely a work of Byzantine art; it is theology expressed in color, where maternal tenderness meets the mystery of the Cross and the Resurrection.
Today, I invite you to rediscover its history, its symbolic language, and the message it has conveyed to us for centuries.
You can find the full article on my Substack. If these journeys into the heart of sacred art and Christian tradition resonate with you, you can also subscribe there to receive future articles. (link in comment)
A blessed feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Pic : Our Mother of Perpetual Help, a 15th Century Marian Byzantine icon.