St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi

Today is the optional memorial of St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi.

Mary Magdalen of Pazzi, a highly gifted mystic, had made a vow of chastity at the age of ten. She entered the convent of the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Florence, because the practice of receiving holy Communion almost daily was observed there. For five years her only food was bread and water. She practiced the most austere penances and for long periods endured complete spiritual aridity. Her favorite phrase was: "Suffer, not die!" Her body has remained incorrupt to the present day; it is preserved in a glass coffin in the church of the Carmelite nuns at Florence.

Purity of soul and love of Christ are the chief virtues which the Church admires in St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi. These virtues matured her spiritually and enabled her to take as a motto, "Suffer, not die!" Purity and love are also the virtues which the Church today exhorts us to practice in imitation of the saint. We may never attain her high degree of holiness, but we can at least strive to suffer patiently out of love for Christ.

~ Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch.

Patron: Bodily ills; sexual temptation; sick people.

Quote: "Come Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth. You are the reward of the saints, the comforter of souls, light in the darkness, riches to the poor, treasure to lovers, food for the hungry, comfort to those who are wandering, to sum up, you are the one in whom all treasures are contained."

~ St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi
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Comments

  1. Patty5/25/10, 5:34 AM

    What would we do without all our wonderful Saints?

    I've given you a Sunshine Award

    http://stmonicastears.blogspot.com/2010/05/sunshine-award.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. Maryellen5/25/10, 11:02 AM

    Hi Jean
    I'm glad to meet you and feel privileged with your friend request on FB.
    I accepted based on your list of Friends. Now I find you have this marvelous and beutiful blog. I'm in awe.

    I'll be adding Catholic Fire to my Blogroll. Keep teaching and writing of our Ancient Faith.
    Maryellen @ http://clinmarjo.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

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