Magdalene of Canossa 1774-1835
Canonised on 2 October 1988

MIRACLE PRESENTED FOR THE CAUSE OF CANONISATION

THE LIFE OF ST MAGDALENE OF CANOSSA

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In the Service of Charity

 

 		 Some of Magdalene's achievements in Verona:
 
  • She helped priests to introduce in the town's churches adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, known as the Forty Hours.
     
  • Through her connections with influential friends she invited competent speakers from other areas to give talks and spiritual exercises.
     
  • She helped organise conferences and retreats for priests.
     
  • She promoted Sunday catechism for the servants and others, who because of their working hours, could not participate in formation courses in the parishes.
     
  • She asked the civil authorities to withdraw a decree limiting the number of convents and parishes.
     
  • She was actively involved in the campaign to modify women's fashions. The French occupiers began importing their clothing into Italy and many considered the designs immodest. Magdalene managed to persuade the distributor of French women's clothing in Italy to incorporate some modifications of her own.

However Magdalene's greatest attention was directed towards the poor and the sick. Not only did she give relief to those who came to the palace gate, she went out to look for them in the hovels. Accompanied by a servant and maid, she would bring all sorts of provisions to the needy. Many a young girl was saved from moral danger brought about by poverty through Magdalene's intervention.

Magdalene also regularly visited the city's hospital wards, which at the time was overflowing with patients, especially young soldiers wounded in battle. It was no mean act of courage to wander among the none too clean beds in poorly ventilated, smelly wards among people covered in festering sores. It was during one of these hospital visits that Magdalene met the Countess Carolina Trotti Durini from Milan who also devoted herself to caring for the sick. Through an intense exchange of letters over many years, the two women supported each other towards sanctity.

Magdalene contemplated devoting her life to the care of the sick, but her bishop urged her to work alone in the education of young girls. Although she was at first repulsed at the idea, she nevertheless complied.
The Canossa Retreat

 

 In 1802 Magdalene bought a house in San Zeno, the filthiest and most notorious district in Verona, with the intention of opening a school for girls there. Although she had to continue living at the Canossa palace, Magdalene drew up the outline of a religious life. She spent most of her days with the girls who came to the house at San Zeno and was happy to wash them, comb their hair and remove the lice.

In 1804 Magdalene was introduced to Napoleon. Having heard of her works of charity, Napoleon held Magdalene in high esteem and was always full of praise for her.

Meanwhile, more girls were coming to the house in San Zeno. Magdalene realised that for her vision to succeed, they would have to expand. The Canossa family had objected to Magdalene living in such a hovel and insisted that she stay at the palace.

Finally in 1808 Magdalene managed to acquire the monastery of San Zeno that used to house the Augustinian Sisters. She had the place repaired and moved the girls and teachers there. Magdalene also took leave of her family, turning her back forever on the princely palace to live among the poor. She was 34 years old.
   

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