You are correct about the misidentification, Bran. "Mary" was a very common name, and there are several in the New Testament. The woman who washed Jesus' feet with her hair is identified in Luke as Mary of Bethany, that is, Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus, not Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene is also misidentified and slandered as a prostitute so often in modern times (see Anu's statement in the AWAD email to find this same mistake being propagated...) that most people take it as fact. Nowhere in the Bible is Mary Magdalene identified as such. In fact, her role was one of a beloved disciple, and the one chosen to be the first to see Jesus risen from the dead. I'm not Catholic, but it bothers me greatly to see this false reputation continuing to be repeated and reinforced. Women have enough trouble getting respect without adding untruths!