Magdalene Gabriella of Canossa
Foundress of the Canossian Daughters of Charity · Canonized 1988
Early Life
Magdalene Gabriella of Canossa was born at Verona on 1st March 1774. At the age of five she lost her father. At seven, her mother remarried, leaving all her five children in the Canossa palace.
She was then entrusted to a governess who did not understand her and caused her to suffer much. Her long suffering brought her closer to God and Magdalene decided to consecrate herself wholly to Him — dedicating herself to the care of His dear ones with great love, giving help, comfort and serenity to all those whom she encountered.
In 1797, when Napoleon's troops occupied Verona, Magdalene sought refuge at Venice, where she experienced the difficulties and sadness of being in exile. After returning to her native city, she was moved by the sight of the many miseries which were the lot of the poor — especially the frightening state of so many children and ignorant young girls, left to themselves and exposed to numerous dangers.
Serving the Poor
Urged by ardent charity, she began to look out for the poor, assisting and educating them and acting as a mother to them. She was helped in this work by generous collaborators who shared her vision of love in action.
In 1808, free at last from all obligations to her family, she finally left her rich palace to live a poor life and serve the poor in the parish of St. Zeno — the most destitute in the whole of Verona.
The sources of her inspiration were Jesus Crucified — who showed the most perfect love to His Father and to all people by dying for us — and His mother, who stood by her Son as He hung on the cross, sharing in His mission.
— The Canossian Charism
Declared a Saint
Magdalene died on 10th April 1835, having given her entire life in joyful service of the poor and marginalised. Her heroic virtue and the fruits of her mission endured long after her death through the Congregation she founded.
On October 2nd, Pope John Paul II declared her Saint Magdalene of Canossa — a testament to a life wholly surrendered to love, service and education.