Press

Release
May 2, 2015


For more information, contact:
lauren@brigidsplace.org
Lauren Santerre
713.428.1051



The Many Faces of Mary Magdalene
Houston: For centuries, Mary Magdalene has been portrayed as the penitent sinner or as a weeping
woman scorned in the western world because of a homily given by Pope Gregory in 591 C.E. This
vision of Mary belies her true identity, and in July 2015, Brigids Place will host a monumental, first-
ever, national month-long festival to reshape the legacy of Mary Magdalene and tell her true story.
Through offerings of art, historical scholarship, spiritual practices, and dynamic teaching, a
contemporary vision of the Magdalene will emerge capable of empowering us all.
The Many Faces of Mary Magdalene festival will be held at Christ Church Cathedral and the Jung
Center and will be open to the public. The offerings will include lectures, workshops, and a month-
long art show in the Cloister Gallery. Artists nationwide are encouraged to submit works of art to
Re-IMAGE Mary Magdalene as the beloved disciple of Jesus. The art exhibit will run from July 7-
August 3, 2015 with a launch party on Friday, July, 10th from 7-9pm.
The featured event of the festival will be the Mary Magdalene Presentation and Workshop with
Dr. Kayleen Asbo on July 23-25, 2015. Internationally renowned lecturer Dr. Kayleen Asbo,
cultural historian, musician, writer and teacher, will weave together myth, history, and the arts with
experiential learning during a two evening presentation and labyrinth walk, followed by a day-long
workshop. Dr. Asbo has been a guest lecturer and presenter at Oxford University in England, the
Assisi Institute of Depth Psychology Conference in Italy, and the Graduate Theological Union in
Berkley among many other prestigious institutions. She presents a fascinating account of Mary
Magdalene, combining a scholarly approach clothed in mysticism. Brigids Place will partner with
The Jung Center for the Thursday night presentation.
Rev. Betty Adam, founder of Brigids Place, believes that the Gospel of Mary has significant
implications for spiritual seekers hungry for a new kind of spirituality today. She says, Written in
the early part of the second century in the framework of an ancient world, the Gospel Mary

Magdalene is a Gospel of our deepest roots, filled with fresh insights for us today. It offers a Jesus
who teaches that nature is good and that our true nature is rooted in the Good, a Jesus who greets
his disciples with his peace and boldly instructs his disciples to acquire my peace within
yourselves. Its this teaching to turn inward into peace that is so remarkable. Its a call to come
home to our shared humanity and divinity. Grounded in our original Good, we can develop the
peace by starting with ourselves.
Information about the entire festival and offerings The Many Faces of Mary Magdalene can be
found at www.brigidsplace.org/marymagdalene including ticket prices and sponsorship packages.
Brigid's Place is a 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Non-Profit Organization. Brigid's Place provides education,
dialogue and celebrations to foster women's spiritual and personal transformation.

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