Joanna was a laywoman from the first century who was married to the head servant to King Herod.

She followed Jesus and is mentioned in Luke’s Gospel when she provides for Jesus and the apostles out of her own resources (Lk 8:3). Tradition holds that when John the Baptist was killed, she obtained his head and buried it honorably.

Luke’s Gospel also tells us that Joanna was among the women who went to anoint Jesus’ body after his passion, death, and burial. She was among the first who were greeted with the news of the resurrection (Lk 24:10).

The chapel in Geddes Hall, which houses the Institute for Church Life and the Institute for Social Concerns, contains stained glass windows that depict the works of mercy. Joanna is one of the “myrrh-bearing women” who are shown in the window dedicated to “burying the dead.” The relics of St. Joanna also rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame’s campus.

Joanna, disciple of Christ, whose care for Christ’s dead body revealed to you his risen one—pray for us!