Birth: 1 March, 1774
Death: 10th April, 1835
Foundress of the Canossian Daughters and Sons of Charity
MAGDALENE GABRIELLE 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. She had just overcome this painful ordeal when she fell ill. Her long suffering brought her closer to God and Magdalene decided to consecrate herself wholly to Him.
Before knowing what was to be her mission in life, Magdalene tried the Cloistered life. The experiment convinced her that she was called to something else, so she returned home where she humbly and patiently awaited enlightenment from God. She dedicated herself to the care of her 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 and her family 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. What impressed her most was the frightening state of so many children and ignorant young girls, left to themselves and exposed to numerous dangers. Urged by ardent charity, she began to look out of them, assist and educate them and act as a mother to them. She was helped in this work by generous collaborators.
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.
She thus gave life to the institute of the Daughters of Charity, commonly known as "Canossians" which was especially dedicated to catechesis, education of neediest among poor girls, and to the assistance of the sick in public hospitals.
A few years later, the Institute came to Venice where Magdalene of Canossa would define its spirit and finalities, thence to Milan, Bergamo and Trent.
Ever since, the foundations have multiplied now more than two hundred years, since the Daughters of Charity realised the great dream that of making Christ known to the extreme ends of the world. Today the Sisters are found in all the continents, where they are committed to witness Christ in the exercise of all the works of mercy.
Magdalene of Canossa is also the foundress of the Sons of Charity, who share the same apostolic aim, as that of the Daughters of Charity.
She died on April 10th 1835. Her typical virtues were, 'Humility in Charity' and 'Charity in Humility'. She proposes Jesus Crucified and His Sorrowful Mother as models for imitation to all the members of her congregation.
On October 2nd 1908, Pope John Paul II declared her a SAINT.
St. Magdalene of Canossa, Pray for us.