Mary Magdalene, and let's get this out of the way as soon as possible, was not a prostitute. That particular legend grew from some curious readings of history and scripture during the early middle ages and has really, really taken hold in the popular imagination. I suspect it's because Hollywood producers are attracted to the image of Jesus having a relationship with a prostitute, since they tend to view all women as representative of that profession in one manner or another and themselves as Messianic figures. But, I digress.
The best pious stories of Mary M. may be found in Eastern Christianity, of which many may be found here.
Perhaps the best is that of the "red egg":
A biblical Christian testimony concerning Mary Magdalene says that she was a woman of social status and wealth. Following Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, she used her position to gain an invitation to a banquet given by Emperor Tiberius Caesar.
When she met him, she held a plain white egg in her hand and exclaimed “Christ is risen!” Caesar laughed, and said that Christ rising from the dead was as likely as the egg in her hand turning red.
Before he finished speaking, the egg in her hand indeed turned bright red, and she cried “Christ is risen, for Jesus has burst forth from the tomb”. And she continued proclaiming the Gospel to the entire imperial house. This miracle turned many of them to Christ at that time.
Today, many Eastern Orthodox Christians end the Easter service by sharing bright red eggs and proclaiming to each other, “Christ is risen!” The eggs represent new life, and Christ bursting forth from the tomb. This began the tradition of coloring Easter eggs.
July 24:
Thomas a Kempis wrote The Imitation of Christ, a 14th century volume that is still in print and still in use to this day:
Remarkable for its simple language and style, it emphasizes the spiritual rather than the materialistic life, affirms the rewards of being Christ-centred, and supports Communion as a means to strengthen faith. His writings offer possibly the best representation of the devotio moderna that made religion intelligible and practicable for the “modern” attitude arising in the Netherlands at the end of the 14th century. Thomas stresses asceticism rather than mysticism, and moderate—not extreme—austerity.
July 25:
St. James the Apostle [brother of John, son of Zebedee] is remembered on this day.
As a member of the inner circle, James witnessed the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:37, Luke 8:51), the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2), and Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33, Matthew 26:37). James and John asked Jesus to let them sit, one at his right and one at his left, in his future glory (Mark 10:35–40), a favour that Jesus said was not his to grant. James was beheaded by order of King Herod Agrippa I of Judaea; according to Spanish tradition, his body was taken to Santiago de Compostela, where his shrine attracts pilgrims from all over the world.
July 26:
The Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of which next to nothing is historically known, are remembered mostly through pious legend. This quotation below is the best that I can find:
Joachim and Anne were a rich and pious couple who had been married for a long time, but found themselves childless. The couple prayed fervently for a child and promised to dedicate their first born to the service of God. An angel appeared to Anne and told her, "The Lord has looked upon thy tears; thou shalt conceive and give birth and the fruit of thy womb shall be blessed by all the world". Joachim also received the same message from the angel. Anne gave birth to a daughter whom she called Miriam (Mary), who was conceived without sin. As a child, Mary was taken to the temple and her parents suffered great sorrow but at the same time joy for fulfilling the vows they had made to the Lord.
July 27:
William Reed Huntington [1838-1909] was one of the pillars of the Episcopal Church when it was at its height as an institution of influence and spiritual foundation. The text of the sermon preached at his Office of Burial may be found here.
This prayer, familiar to all faithful Episcopalians who attend the Holy Week liturgies, was written by Huntington:
Almighty God, whose dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.