Context

Do you experience any need, hunger, craving or desire in your heart that may be the root of your
temptation? (First sharing of reflection.)

Sinners and Saints: Group Research Activity

Each group will research and discuss a particular saint or holy person who has had a dramatic
conversion. They will also purvey a reflection on the person's struggle with good and evil and the person's
life before and after conversion. (Some suggestions are the historic saints Francis of Assisi, Augustine of
Hippo, and Ignatius of Loyola, and a contemporary holy person like Dorothy Day.) After the group
discussion, a representative/s will share the dramatic conversion of their chosen saint or holy person with
their corresponding reflection in the class.

Saint Mary of Egypt

At a young age Mary ran from home and spent
seventeen years as a seductress in the
glamorous city of Alexandria during the fourth
century. She did not charge for her services, but
enjoyed the challenge of seducing young men.
She was enthralled with “sexual adventure” and
was led by her passions. Mary later confessed,
“There is no mentionable or unmentionable
depravity of which I was not their teacher.”

She joined a party of men sailing to Jerusalem,

where she planned to find even more prospective
buyers among the multitudes of pilgrims
assembled for the major feast of the Exaltation of
the Cross. Mary followed the masses of pilgrims
to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, curious.

However, when she reached the door, she

discovered that an unseen force was preventing
her from entering. She attempted to enter three
times and began to cry, frustrated and anxious to
go in. She came to realize that it was her impurity
and sin that kept her from entering. She implored Mary for help, and Mary of Egypt beat her
breast and asked pardon for her misdeeds. She hoped for the best.

One of the most important lessons that we can learn from the story of Mary of Egypt is that no
matter how great of a sin you commit, God will always give chances for all of us to repent for our
sinful actions. Just like Mary of Egypt who was enthralled with “sexual adventure” and was led
by her passion leading her to commit sin, she became aware of her actions and repented, we as
well can be given a chance. Our sins may or may not be as great as hers but one thing’s for
sure, God will never abandon those lost and in need of His guidance.