
Widzę wielki znak na niebie - mówi św. Jan w Apokalipsie - pod stopami ma słońce, a na głowie wieniec z gwiazd dwunastu?. Te gwiazdy, którymi Ewangelista widzi ozdobioną Dziewicę, to rozświetlające Ją cnoty główne, które wy macie naśladować, gdyż w szczególny sposób jesteście przez Nią chronione oraz jej poddane.
Born in Verona the 1 of march 1774 r., in the noble descent “di Canossa”, Magdalene was the third of six progeny. Yet as child she felt desire to consecrate to God and this desire across life experiences (the dead of her father, the second marriage of mother, an illness, incomprehension) gathered form and matured more and more.
As she was immersed in the climate of tragic events of war and political circumstances of French Revolution, Magdalene discover in a deep prayer the most great love of God, revealed in Christ Crucified.
Look at more: knowing of the plan of God
She see the face of Jesus in the poor, discarted and suffering people in the suburb of Verona. Since that time her desire is to dedicate herself in the service of Christ and His poor.
She decide to leave the palace but she meet a strong opposal of her family.
The circumstances costrain her to assume the rule of land-lady and homemaker in the palace Canossa. Magdalene cover her vocation in the depths of her heart, enganing herself entirely to everyday family-ownes duties. In the 1808 she overcome the opposition of her closest and leave the native palace Canossa – renouncing the wealth and a title of the marchioness – and together with the first companions found in Verona in 8 of may 1808 “The Work of Charity”.
See more:catechesis
23 of decembre 1828 r. obtain the approval from Apostolic See for the Institute of the Daughters of Charity Servants of the Poor, which was present already in Venice, Milan, Bergamo and Trent.
As a “Daughter of Charity”, full of an ardour – while the number of the members od the Work was increasing – 23 of May 1831 Magdalene inaugurate the male ramification of the Institute: the Institute of “Sons of Charity”. The male members of this ramus dedicate themselves for a service of boys and menfolk. (You are invited to visit the page of the Sons of Charity: Canossian Brothers )
An extremely active and fruitful life of Magdalene came to an end of terrestrial exsistence on 10 of April 1835. She was 61 years old.
The day 8 of December 1941 the pope Pius XII beatificated her in Rome. 47 years later, 2 of October 1988 the pope John Paul II canonized her and included among Saints.
“Love is as a flame”. In the course of the years the number of Sisters and Communities was increasing so that to become Religious family, dedicated for the service of the Kingdom of God. Today Canossian Family comprise Sons and Daughters of Charity and Lay Canossians.
The spirit of saint Magdalene disveloped in 36 countries of the world.
Magdalena who lived in the time when women couldn’t go to the mission, had a heart throughout missionary. She often explained fervent desire to go even to the conrers of the earth to make Jezus know – as she accented – “Jesus is not loved, because he is not known”.
In 1860 her profound desire became reality. Divine Providence let her sisters reach an Asian continent, because they responded for an invitation from Hong Kong, thanks to the patriach of Venice, Angelo Ramazzotti.
In this way canossian charism from that country spread in the other part of asian countries.