SAINT MARY OF EGYPT - HOLY DESERT MOTHER

 

Saint Mary of Egypt is a highly venerated Desert Mother in Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, Byzantine Catholic churches,  Coptic Catholic church, Anglican communion as well as the patron saint of penitents in the Roman Catholic church. Saint Mary was born circa 344 in the Province of Egypt. The saint died circa 421 in the Trans-Jordan desert, Palaestina 1.

Mary did not have an easy life. She had left her home at the age of twelve for Alexandria. It is not known what circumstances led her to becoming homeless in a strange city. Present-day opportunities for women with regard to education and social welfare support were lacking to her, so Mary had little in the way of options for her career.  Thus, for approximately seventeen years, Mary earned her living as a sex worker, at times refusing payment. 

Jerusalem

At the end of that time, a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was organized. Mary embarked for Palestine in the hope of work opportunities upon board. Upon her arrival in Jerusalem, Mary continued to ply her trade in order to put food on her table and have a roof over her head. 

Conversion to life of prayer

On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Mary joined the crowds towards the church where the sacred relic was venerated. She was in search of custom. 

When Mary reached the church door, she repeatedly felt herself repelled by some force. She retired to a corner of the churchyard, where she was struck by the grace of God. Saint Mary realized her lifestyle was not in keeping with the commandments and was struck with remorse. 

As Mary wept, her gaze fell upon a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary above the spot where she was standing. She reached in prayer to Our Lady in heaven, asking her for help. 

Struck by grace and the love of God, Mary wished above all to enter the church and venerate the wood of the cross upon which Our Lord Jesus Christ had suffered. She promised Our Blessed Mother that if this request was granted, she would renounce her way of life, and go wheresoever Our Lady would lead her.

Heavenly Voice

Thereafter Saint Mary once more approached the church and entered in with no difficulty. After veneration of the holy relic, Mary kissed the pavement of the church. She returned to the statue of Our Lady and continued in prayer. Thereupon Mary heard a voice which told her that if she crossed the Jordan, she would find rest. 

To the desert

That same evening Mary reached the Jordan and received absolution and Holy Communion in a church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Mary thereafter followed the river and wandered eastward into the desert that stretches into Arabia.

Mary lived in the desert for forty-seven years, subsisting on a diet of herbs. With no access to comforts, her clothing wore away and her hair remained uncut. Mary's devotion to the love of God and her life of prayer had whittled her life-purpose to utter simplicity. She lived as had John the Baptist - for God and God alone.

Saint Zosimus of Palestine

After almost five decades as desert hermit, Saint Mary met a monk-priest named Zosimus who had travelled to the desert for Lent. Mary recognized him to be a priest, and called him by name. She asked him to throw his mantle to her, whereupon she covered herself out of respect for the monk.

From homelessness to hermit

Mary shared her life-story with Zosimus: a path which had led her from homelessness and its perils to a life of holy prayer as desert hermit. Mary thereafter asked Zosimus to meet her again one year hence with the Blessed Sacrament (the sacrament of holy communion). Saint Zosimus did so, and Saint Mary received her viaticum whereupon she prayed, "Now dost Thou dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy Word in peace, because my eyes have seen Thy salvation." 

To heaven

Mary requested Zosimus once more to return in a year. He did so, to find that Saint Mary had passed away. The holy desert mother, from homelessness to hermit, had now gone to her final destination - heaven. 

Sometime in her wanderings, Mary must have learned her letters. Beside her on the ground was a written request that Zosimus bury her. Although dead for some time, the desert mother had miraculously remained incorrupt.

Saint Zosimus buried dear Mary in the desert where she had spent nearly half a century in holy contemplation.  Upon his return to the monastery, the priest recounted the story of Saint Mary's conversion from homeless sufferer to prayerful desert mother. 

Since that time Saint Mary of Egypt has been highly honored. Her life has afforded great inspiration and comfort to all who wish to change their lives in the face of obstacles.

Saint Mary's feast day is April 1. 

SAINT MARY OF EGYPT - PRAY FOR US