Mary Magdalene Retablo Patroness of Hairdressers, Contemplatives and Fallen Women 'The Penitent'

Feast Day, July 22.

Mary was said to be beautiful and proud, and a notorious sinner. Upon meeting Jesus, she was deeply and profoundly moved by the spirit. Weeping, she washed Jesus' feet with her tears and dried them with her hair and then anointed them with expensive perfume. When he saw the outrage of his disciples, Christ said, "Mary's sins are forgiven her, because she has loved so much." After this experience, Mary humbly served Jesus. She was at the foot of the cross and also the first person to see, hear, and recognize the risen Christ.

"Mary Magdalene, through your wisdom and recognition of Christ you served him tenderly and steadfastly. Through contemplation and service may I too recognize and come to know Christ in the deepest part of my soul."

"Your tears washed Jesus's feet and your hair dried them. Your love and recognition was so great your sins were forgiven. You were the first to recognize the risen Christ. Oh woman of great wisdom and heart, in my humble way, may I bring benefit to those I serve."

 About the Artist

Lynn Garlick started carving, painting, and producing her retablos in 1993. Her workshop is located in the high desert town of Taos, New Mexico, a landscape richly steeped in religious iconography and history. The retablo, or ʻboard behind the alterʼ, was originally created in New Mexico in the 1800ʼs in response to the lack of Bibles and Icons being sent from the church in Rome. The Santero (saint maker) painted retablos from pigment collected and ground from the local surroundings. The boards were hand hewed usually of ponderosa pine or tin. The practice has carried down through the generations and is still done this way today. Lynn paints her originals retablos on traditional pine boards carving and then paints them. To create her production work the images are mounted on baltic birch.