Magdalena de Pazzi
Encyclopedia
Saint Maria Magdalene de Pazzi (or Mary Magdalene de Pazzi; April 2, 1566 – May 25, 1607) is an Italian saint
of the Roman Catholic Church
.
families of Renaissance
Florence, the Pazzi
. She was baptized with the name of Caterina. She experienced her first ecstasy
when she was only twelve, in her mother's presence. From then on, she continued to witness many varied mystical experiences. She was sent to a convent at age 14, but was returned home by her family, who opposed her religious vocation and wanted her to marry a distinguished man. However, they eventually conceded, and Catherine became a Carmelite of the Ancient Observance at 16, taking the name of Sister Maria Magdalena, at a convent that is now the site of San Frediano in Cestello
. Her life took a course similar to that of other women who have become great mystics
, characterized by an early love of prayer and penance, charity for the poor, and an evangelical spirit.
was begun in the year 1610 under Pope Paul V
, and completed under Pope Urban VIII
in the year 1626. She was not, however, canonized until sixty-two years after her death, when Pope Clement X
raised her to the altars on April 28, 1669. The church of the Monastery of Pažaislis, commissioned in 1662, was one of the first to be consecrated in her honor.
, and the feast day of Saint Magdalena de Pazzi was moved to 29 May, where it remained until 1969, when it was restored to its traditional place in the calendar. She was beautiful
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
.
Life
St. Maria Magdalene de Pazzi was born into one of the wealthiest and most distinguished nobleNobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
families of Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
Florence, the Pazzi
Pazzi
The Pazzi family were an ancient, noble Tuscan family who had given up their titles so that members could be elected to public office. Their main trade, during the 15th century was banking. They are linked to the "Pazzi conspiracy"—to assassinate Giuliano de' Medici and simultaneously attempt...
. She was baptized with the name of Caterina. She experienced her first ecstasy
Religious ecstasy
Religious ecstasy is an altered state of consciousness characterized by greatly reduced external awareness and expanded interior mental and spiritual awareness which is frequently accompanied by visions and emotional/intuitive euphoria...
when she was only twelve, in her mother's presence. From then on, she continued to witness many varied mystical experiences. She was sent to a convent at age 14, but was returned home by her family, who opposed her religious vocation and wanted her to marry a distinguished man. However, they eventually conceded, and Catherine became a Carmelite of the Ancient Observance at 16, taking the name of Sister Maria Magdalena, at a convent that is now the site of San Frediano in Cestello
San Frediano in Cestello
San Frediano in Cestello is a church in the Oltrarno section of Florence, Tuscany, Italy.The name cestello derives from the Cistercians who occupied the church in 1628. Previously the site had a 1450s church attached to the cloistered Carmelite convent of Santa maria degli Angeli.In 1680-1689, the...
. Her life took a course similar to that of other women who have become great mystics
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
, characterized by an early love of prayer and penance, charity for the poor, and an evangelical spirit.
Beatification and canonization
Numerous miracles allegedly followed St Maria Magdalena's death, and the process for her beatificationBeatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
was begun in the year 1610 under Pope Paul V
Pope Paul V
-Theology:Paul met with Galileo Galilei in 1616 after Cardinal Bellarmine had, on his orders, warned Galileo not to hold or defend the heliocentric ideas of Copernicus. Whether there was also an order not to teach those ideas in any way has been a matter for controversy...
, and completed under Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII , born Maffeo Barberini, was pope from 1623 to 1644. He was the last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms, and was a prominent patron of the arts and reformer of Church missions...
in the year 1626. She was not, however, canonized until sixty-two years after her death, when Pope Clement X
Pope Clement X
Pope Clement X , born Emilio Bonaventura Altieri, was Pope from 29 April 1670 to 22 July 1676.-Early life:Emilio Altieri was born in Rome, the son of Lorenzo Altieri and Victoria Delphini, a Venetian lady...
raised her to the altars on April 28, 1669. The church of the Monastery of Pažaislis, commissioned in 1662, was one of the first to be consecrated in her honor.
Feast day
In 1670, the year after her canonization, the feast day of the saint was inserted in the General Roman Calendar for celebration on 25 May, the day of her death (as today). In 1728, the date of 25 May was assigned instead to Pope Gregory VIIPope Gregory VII
Pope St. Gregory VII , born Hildebrand of Sovana , was Pope from April 22, 1073, until his death. One of the great reforming popes, he is perhaps best known for the part he played in the Investiture Controversy, his dispute with Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor affirming the primacy of the papal...
, and the feast day of Saint Magdalena de Pazzi was moved to 29 May, where it remained until 1969, when it was restored to its traditional place in the calendar. She was beautiful
Further reading
- Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi, The Complete Works of Saint Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi Carmelite and Mystic (1566–1607), 5 vols, translated by Gabriel Pausback, O.Carm., Fatima 1969-1973.