Saint Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi
The Florentine Carmelite whose words in ecstasy were copied down by her sisters
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Virgin, Mystic, Religious
- Life
- 1566 – 1607
- Era
- 17th century
- Feast
- 25 May
- Countries
- Italy
Life story
Caterina de' Pazzi was born on 2 April 1566 in Florence, into one of the city's well-known noble families. She was raised in the devout manner of the upper classes, and early biographies say she preferred prayer and a simple life to feasts and society. Her parents sent her for a time to a convent school in the city, after which she made up her mind to ask admission to the Carmelite order.
Around 1582 she entered the Carmelite convent of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Florence and took the religious name Mary Magdalene. Soon afterwards she fell seriously ill, and her health never fully recovered; for many years she lived with chronic pain and weakness. Later she was given charge of training the novices and served as sub-prioress, the sister who assists the prioress in running the community.
What has kept her name alive is a series of long ecstasies. According to the accounts of her own sisters, she spoke aloud during these episodes while other nuns sat beside her and wrote down what she said. These handwritten records were later gathered into texts that bear her name. Biographers also mention several years of inner dryness and distress, alternating with periods of peace.
She died on 25 May 1607 at about the age of forty-one. She was beatified in 1626 and canonised by Pope Clement IX in 1669. The Carmelite convent in Florence has kept many memories of her, and the Church keeps her feast on 25 May.
Works and witness
- Entered the Carmelite convent of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Florence around 1582
- Trained novices and served as sub-prioress of her community
- Her sisters wrote down the words she spoke during ecstasies
- Endured long years of illness until her death in 1607
- Beatified in 1626 and canonised in 1669
Saints from the same country
References
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), entry Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.