Was Mary Magdalene a Prostitute?



Dear Catholic Exchange, Was Mary Magdalene a prostitute? Linda

Dear Linda, Peace in Christ! Whether Mary Magdalene was a prostitute is open for discussion. The opinion appears to be reasonable, but others believe that she was a courtesan (much nobler than sex for money) and others conclude that we simply can’t know. The larger and more fundamental debate is over whether Mary was the repentant sinner in the Gospel of Luke 7:36-50. Please see our Faith Fact on the subject for more information, St. Mary Magdalene: A Model Penitent.

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