The Life of Saint Mary of Egypt

The Life of Saint Mary of Egypt is the story of Mary, a young woman who fully abandoned herself to living in sin, not for the sake of gain but to gratify her unbridled lust, until she came to herself through God’s intervention, and fled to the desert, to lead a life of profound repentance until her repose in AD 421.

This is the story of the love of God, who seeks the salvation for every soul, no matter how deep someone may have sunk into the mire sin; it is the story of severe repentance from a severely sinful life, of cleansing the heart with profuse tears for a life wasted in filth; it is the story of love for God who loved us first, of striving to lead a life pleasing to God, after having lived for sinful pleasures. Though it may seem to be from a forgotten time, the remembrance of this story is crucial for all, that it may kindle in us fervent love for God and zeal to offer true repentance for our sins, that we may obtain an ending pleasing to God, like that of St. Mary of Egypt.