On a recent episode of the “Your Radical Truth Podcast,” hosted by Margaret Mary O’Connor, listeners were treated to an enlightening discussion with Rita L. Houlihan. Rita has used her three decades of experience in sales and change strategy consulting to bring a unique perspective to her advocacy work centered on Mary Magdalene within the Catholic Church. Armed with a BA in Psychology and Philosophy from Newton College of the Sacred Heart (now Boston College) and an MA in Educational Psychology from New York University, plus 10 years of reading Mary Magdalene research, Rita’s journey into the realm of biblical scholarship and advocacy has been both profound and purpose-driven.
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At the heart of Rita’s mission lies a deep commitment to restoring the historical memory of early Christian women leaders, with a special emphasis on Mary Magdalene. Rita serves on the board of directors for FutureChurch, an organization with the mission to “seek changes that will provide all Roman Catholics the opportunity to participate fully in Church life, ministry, and governance. 
Reflecting on Misinterpretations
During the podcast, Rita and Margaret delve into the often-maligned character of Mary Magdalene within the context of Catholic history. They reflect on the centuries-old misinterpretations and distortions of Mary’s story, particularly highlighting the efforts of influential figures like St. Augustine and Jerome, whose writings perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women in Christianity.
Rita’s passion for Mary Magdalene stems from her belief in the importance of examining the scripture texts to understand her full role in the Gospel. Awareness of Mary Magdalene’s roles in the Canonical texts propels Rita to work to bring this knowledge of her true role as a disciple and witness to Jesus’s Resurrection to all. This will reclaim and elevate her position in our church. Drawing on insights from leading biblical scholars such as Sandra Schneiders, IHM; Francis J. Moloney, SDB; Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ; Mary Coloe, PBVM,; Nuria Calduch-Benages; Carla Ricci; and Barbara Reid, OP Rita meticulously pieces together a narrative that challenges traditional interpretations and sheds light on Mary Magdalene’s significant contributions to early Christianity.
Advocating for her Elevation
One of Rita’s key initiatives, the “Reclaim Magdalene” project, seeks to amplify Mary Magdalene’s voice within the Catholic Church by advocating for her elevation from a memorial to a solemnity. Through meticulous research and advocacy efforts, Rita aims to ensure that Mary’s pivotal role in Jesus’s ministry and resurrection is fully recognized and celebrated within the liturgical calendar.
Central to Rita’s advocacy is the call to read the full Gospel texts and to commit to following Jesus’s example regarding including women in his ministry. By highlighting the actual scripture texts that reveal Mary Magdalene’s leadership and agency, Rita asks us to check these original sources before believing legends or accepting demeaning depictions of Mary Magdalene by Renaissance (and later) artists such as Giotto, who mispresented her.
This examination of scripture texts creates space for Rita (using the Biblical research of scholars) to shed light on the hidden aspects of Mary Magdalene’s story that are often not seen by the majority of Catholics. For instance, she points out that the reading from John 20:11-18, which contains Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus, is read only on Easter Tuesday and on her feast day, July 22nd, but not on Easter Sunday – when we should hear it – or on any Sunday. This omission prevents many Catholics from seeing the extraordinary role that the risen Jesus commissioned Mary Magdalene to perform. In John 20:17, He blessed and commissioned her to be the first to proclaim his Resurrection. Because that text is omitted from Easter Sunday we see that when Mary Magdalene is silenced, the Risen Jesus is also silenced. Because the Catholic lectionary excludes John 20:11-18 from any Sunday, the majority of Catholics never hear the Risen Jesus’s post-Resurrection words or his first invitation to all of us into a direct relationship with his Father (Jn 20:17).
Contributions and Challenges
Through her advocacy work, Rita aims to bring awareness of Mary Magdalene’s significant contributions and challenge the existing biases and misconceptions surrounding her character. She emphasizes the need for new artistic representations of Mary Magdalene that accurately reflect her role as a disciple and authorized witness of Jesus Christ.
As the conversation unfolds, listeners are invited to join Rita on a journey of rediscovery—a journey that seeks to reclaim Mary Magdalene’s rightful place in history and faith, and to honor her as a trailblazer and visionary within the Christian tradition.
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About Rita L. Houlihan
Rita L. Houlihan is a dedicated member of Ascension Parish in New York City, where she shares her passion for faith by teaching Confirmation. Beyond her parish duties, Rita serves on the Board of Directors for FutureChurch. She was a founding member of FutureChurch’s “Catholic Women Preach” project, and tirelessly advocates for the restoration of historical memory regarding early Christian women leaders.
Driven by a profound curiosity about the portrayal of Mary Magdalene throughout history, Rita has embarked on a journey of research and activism. She has explored pivotal questions surrounding the distortion of Mary Magdalene’s identity by Pope Gregory I and the enduring prevalence of legends over scripture.
In her quest to reshape perceptions, Rita champions the creation of new art forms to counter centuries of negative imagery associated with Mary Magdalene. Notable works such as Margaret Beaudette’s “Mary Magdalene Proclaims the Resurrection” and Laura James’ series, “Mary Magdalene and the Risen Jesus,” serve as powerful tools in her mission.
Rita’s advocacy reached a significant milestone when, in collaboration with a dedicated group, in 2015 she petitioned Pope Francis for corrective action. This effort led to the Vatican’s designation of Mary Magdalene’s mass as a Feast, a testament to Rita’s unwavering commitment to restoring the rightful place of women in Christianity.
Despite a successful career spanning over three decades at IBM, where she excelled in sales and Change Strategy Consulting, Rita’s true calling lies in her work with FutureChurch. Armed with a BA in Psychology and Philosophy from Newton College of the Sacred Heart (now Boston College) and an MA in Educational Psychology from NYU, Rita combines her academic background with her strategic prowess to drive meaningful change.
As a seasoned public speaker and experienced board member, Rita brings her skills in strategic planning and content development to the forefront of her advocacy. Her primary focus remains on the “Reclaim Magdalene” project, an initiative aimed at elevating the voices of Mary Magdalene and other overlooked women of the New Testament.
Through her tireless efforts, Rita seeks not only to honor the past but also to inspire a renewed appreciation for the pivotal role of women like Mary Magdalene in shaping Christian history.
About Margaret Mary O’Connor
Margaret Mary O’Connor, as a member of the Catholic Laity, thought she knew everything about the Catholic Church, at least until she came upon a centuries-old Scandal of lies and cover-up by the Hierarchy of that Church. Frankly, she was fed up being lied to by her own Church, about its own past Church’s History on Women priests. With that realization, she truly felt in that moment, the monumental feeling of betrayal by her own Church.
Follow Margaret, as she travels down this Highway of Radical Truth where lies and outright coverup will be disclosed. Millions of Catholics are unaware of that
past presence of Women Bishop’s, Women Deacons, as well as Women Priests, all there hiding in plain sight, in Early Church History.
As the complicity of this centuries-old Scandal continues, Margaret wants her fellow Catholics to learn the actual truth of this matter for themselves. She strongly believes, at minimal, any Catholic deserves the actual truth of this matter. To say that change is needed is hardly an understatement. She doesn’t let the Church’s betrayal stop her from uncovering some very fascinating Church Skeleton’s – one which very well might help solve our current priest shortage issue today.
Margaret Mary O’Connor has been called, “The Modern Day David” on many occasions. On a mission to reveal carefully guarded secrets of the Catholic Church, she unveils the truth through her well-researched writings.
Author of Scandal in the Shadows and Journey of a Celiac’s Soul, Margaret Mary is a force to be reckoned with.
