The Women Disciples

The Holy Women at the TombWater - LYess Chabert

The Women Disciples, also known as the "holy Women", formed a group of Women who followed Jesus during his itinerant preaching in various places and villages of Palestine. They assisted him both with their resources and by performing humble tasks in the service of Jesus and the Apostles, such as preparing meals, washing and mending clothes.

They were present at crucial moments of his life, such as the crucifixion and the burial at the tombWater, while many Disciples had fled. Their presence testifies to an active and faithful participation in the life and Mission of Jesus, driven by deep devotion and a sincere desire to serve. In Christian tradition, these Women represent an example of love, loyalty, and courage in following the Christ.

What does the Gospel say?[edit | edit source]

During the apostolic journeys[edit | edit source]

"Then, Jesus went around to all the cities and villages to preach and announce the Good News of the Kingdom of God. The twelve Disciples accompanied him, as well as some Women who had been delivered from evil spirits and healed of diseases: Mary, called Mary of Magdala (Magdalene), from whom seven evil spirits had been cast out; Joanna, wife of Chuza, an official of Herod; Susanna and many others who used their goods to help Jesus and his Disciples." ^[1]

Luke thus attests that the holy Women accompanied Jesus during his apostolic journeys.

On the way to the Cross[edit | edit source]

He was followed by a great multitude of people, including Women who were beating their breasts and lamenting over him. Jesus turned to them and said: "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children." ^[2] Among these "daughters of Jerusalem," tradition introduced the figure of Veronica who wipes the face of Jesus.

At the foot of the Cross[edit | edit source]

"All the friends of Jesus, as well as the Women who had accompanied him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching what was happening, among them Mary, mother of Jesus, Mary of Magdala (Magdalene), Marie de Cléophas, mother of James and Joseph, Salome, mother of the sons of Zebedee and many others who had followed him to Jerusalem.^[3]-^[4]-^[5]-^[6]

The Gospels attest that on Calvary, there were many Disciples and "many others" Women Disciples.

At the tombWater[edit | edit source]

"The Women who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph of Arimathea; they observed the tombWater and how his body had been placed. Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. During the Sabbath, they observed the rest according to commandment. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala (Magdalene), Mary, mother of James, and Salome went to the tomb, the sun having risen... They returned from the tombWater and reported all this to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary of Magdala (Magdalene) and Johanna of Chuza and Mary, mother of James; their other companions also told the Apostles. To those, these words seemed nonsense, and they did not believe these Women." ^[7]-^[8]-^[9]-^[10]-^[11]

The events of that morning clash. The different accounts by the evangelists well reflect the confusion and frenzy of the first Hours.

What does Maria Valtorta say?[edit | edit source]

The group of Women Disciples is formed by Jesus at the beginning of the second year of his public life^[12]-^[13] as "the leaders of future Disciples, co-workers of the servants of the Lord."

John of Endor draws their portraits in EMV 312^[14]:

(some) "Good Disciples, affectionate, patient beneath their veil of sorrow, like Mary of Clopas and Eliza; generous like Mary of Magdala (Magdalene), so absolute in her change of life; gentle and pure like Martha and Joanna; dignified, intelligent, all thought and all uprightness like Sintica".

Jesus clarifies the role of these Women Disciples within the apostolic group, which they accompany episodically on different journeys. Their number varies throughout the public life^[15], some follow Jesus mainly at the beginning of his preaching, others accompany him through periods of persecution up to the foot of the Cross: The Virgin Mary, Eliza of Bethzur; Joanna, wife of Chuza; Mary, wife of Alphaeus and aunt of Jesus; Mary of Magdala (Magdalene); Martha of Bethany, his sister; Mary Salome, mother of Apostles John and James; Susanna.

If some of these Women are wealthy and provide financially for the apostolic group (Mary of Magdala (Magdalene), Martha, Johanna of Chuza), others take care of logistics (clothing care, for example): these are the mothers of Apostles (Mary of Clopas, Mary Salome, mother of the apostles John and James in addition to the Virgin Mary) and the Wives of married Apostles (Porphirea, wife of Peter, Mary, wife of Philip and Anne, wife of Bartholomew (Nathaniel) the Apostle-Bartholomew). Added to this are the Women-Disciples who provide Protection, assistance or refuge: Valeria, Lydia, Nike (Veronica).

The most important Women Disciples[edit | edit source]

The formation of this group spans over time, so its composition varies. Below we select the most important, either because they were the first to Follow Jesus, or because they were present until the end.

The Virgin Mary,
Annaleah of Jerusalem, the first consecrated virgin
Anastasica (Rose of Jericho), the Woman repudiated by her husband
Eliza of Bethzur, childhood friend and companion of the Virgin Mary at the Temple
Joanna, wife of Chouza the steward of Herod
Lydia (Livia), the Roman sympathizer then late disciple
Marcella, servant of Martha
Mary of Alphaeus, mother of James and Jude, the Apostles and cousins of Jesus
Mary of Magdala (Magdalene)
Martha, his sister
Mary Salome, mother of the apostles John and James, mother of John and James of Zebedee the Apostle, the Apostles
Nike (Veronica), the disciple dedicated to works of charity
Sarah of Bethany, the widow healed by Jesus
Sintica, the former runaway Greek slave
Susanna, the young bride of Cana
Valeria, the Roman who became a proselyte

Thirteen of these Women Disciples accompany Jesus to Jerusalem and witness his Passion: The Virgin Mary, Eliza of Bethzur, Johanna of Chuza, Lydia, Marcella, Mary of Clopas, Mary of Magdala (Magdalene), Martha, Mary Salome, mother of the apostles John and James, (Vero)Nique, Sarah, Susanna, Valeria. To which must be added Anne of Meron encountered on the via dolorosa.

Annaleah will die, fulfilling Jesus’ promise, on Palm Sunday. Anastasica is estranged from a Judas who became lustful. Sintica was forced into exile.

Women, mothers or sisters of Apostles[edit | edit source]

Anne, the wife of Bartholomew (Nathaniel) the Apostle, called Bartholomew
Mary of Clopas, aunt of Jesus and "sister" of the Virgin Mary^[16]
Mary Salome, mother of the apostles John and James, wife of Zebedee and mother of James the Greater and John the Evangelist
Mary, the wife of Philip
Porphirea, the childless wife of Peter
Twin sister of Thomas. Her name is not known

The wives of the Apostles do not follow Jesus to Jerusalem for his Passion. Is it to spare them the violence of the events or to spare them the shame of their husbands fleeing the Master out of fear? It is unknown.

In any case, the mothers of Apostles (Mary of Clopas; Mary Salome, mother of the apostles John and James) are present alongside the Virgin Mary.

Notes and References[edit | edit source]

[1] Luc 8:1-3

[2] Luke 23:27-28

[3] Matthew 27:55-56

[4] Mark 15:40-41

[5] Luke 23:49

[6] John 19:25

[7] Matthew 28:1

[8] Mark 16:1-2

[9] Luke 23:55

[10] Luke 24:11

[11] John 20:1

[12] EMV 150

[13] EMV 152

[14] the portraits EMV 312.5

[15] EMV 294

[16] John 19:25

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