Saint Who?
Saints Who Took Detours in Life
Saint Mary of Egypt
Laywoman († c. 421) Feast: April 1
Although some of the details about the life of Mary of Egypt may have been embroidered over the centuries, ancient sources confirm the essence of her amazing story.
Mary was born in Egypt. At the age of twelve, she ran away from home and sought a life of pleasure in the great city of Alexandria. She earned her living as a prostitute for seventeen years until she decided to join a group of Christians who were traveling to the Holy Land. She plied her trade among the pilgrims to earn her way and arrived in Jerusalem. But when she tried to enter a church with her companions, an invisible force physically prevented her from crossing the threshold. Mary was overwhelmed by a realization of her own sinfulness and asked the Mother of God to help her, promising God that from now on she would live a life of penance.
A voice told her to cross the Jordan River, and so she did. For forty-seven years, she lived alone in a cave in the desert, eating dates and edible plants. Over time, her beautiful clothing slowly wore away to shreds. A priest discovered her, learned her story, and gave her Communion. When he returned the following Easter, he discovered that she had died, just as she had predicted.
Almighty God, grant us an awareness of our sinfulness and your infinite mercy.
