Saint Magdalene of Canossa – 10 April – Saint Of The Day
St Magdalene of Canossa. As a teenager she twice tried to become a Carmelite nun but eventually founded a new monastic Order. With motherly love she took care of the poor.
Magdalene of Canossa (1774–1835) was born into a noble and wealthy family in Verona, Italy. At seventeen she planned to dedicate her life to God and twice tried her vocation as a Carmelite. Without any success. She then returned to her family, but due to unfortunate events and political circumstances at the end of the 18th century, she continued to live in the Canossa Palace, managing the large family estate.In 1808, when she was 34, Magdalene overcame her family’s resistance and left the Canossa Palace once and for all to begin her work in the poorest area of Verona.
Using her inheritance she helped the poor In the suburbs of Verona. It was the time when echoes of the French Revolution still remained. The occupation of various foreign powers and the uprising in Verona left obvious traces of devastation and much human suffering. She served the poor with a motherly heart and apostolic zeal.
In her life, she herself experienced a number of painful events: the death of her father, her mother’s tragic second marriage, illness and misunderstanding.
She was a woman who deeply believed in the love of Jesus and felt that the Holy Spirit sent it to those who needed it most.
Magdelene of Canossa has founded two Canossian congregations and several other religious institutions.
She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988.
In visual arts she is depicted wearing a black coat and hat with five round folds on the forehead, and is often surrounded by her congregational family or children.
