About Saint Mary Magdalene di Pazzi:
Christened Caterina, she was born in Florence in 1566, she grew up in one of the wealthiest and most distinguished noble families of that Renaissance city.
At the age of nine, she was taught how to meditate by the family chaplain, using a then-recently published work explaining how one should meditate on the Passion of Christ. Years later, this book was one of the items she brought with her to the monasteryy. She also began practicing mortification of the flesh through self-flagellation, wearing a barbed metal cilice, and wearing a home-made crown of thorns. She received her First Communion at the then-early age of 10 and made a vow of virginity the same year. She experienced her first ecstasy when she was only twelve, in her mother’s presence. From then on, she continued to exhibit what she considered to be many varied mystical experiences.
In 1580, at age fourteen, de’ Pazzi was sent by her father to be educated at a monastery of nuns of the Order of Malta, but not long after her father recalled her to be wed to a young nobleman. Caterina advised her father of her vow, and he eventually relented and allowed her to enter monastic life. She chose the Carmelite monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Florence because the rule there allowed her to receive Holy Communion daily. On January 30, 1583, she was accepted as a novice by that community and took the religious name of Sister Mary Magdalene.
She died on May 25, 1607 and was Beatified in 1626 by Pope Urban VIII. She was Canonized on April 28, 1669 by Pope Clement X.
Her Feast day was originally May 29, since May 25 had been assigned to Pope Gregory VII. In 1969 it was changed to May 25, which is the anniversary of her death.
About the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena de’ Pazzi in Florence:
The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena de’ Pazzi in Florence also includes a monastery that was founded in 1256-57. It includes many works of art and, of course, the tomb of Saint Mary Magdaelene di Pazzi.
Finding The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena de’ Pazzi in Florence:
Address: Borgo Pinti, 58, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy
Tel: +39 055 247 8420
We are not aware of any official website for the church itself.
