May 25
Saints of the Day
 

Saint Mary Magdalen of Pazzi, 1566-1607
The Carmelite from Florence, the "ecstatic saint", with a period of five years of dryness, of temptations and sufferings

    Mary Magdalene de Pazzi was so generously given this special gift of God that she is called the "ecstatic saint."

    Immediately after the vows as a Carmelite, she fell into an ecstasy that lasted about two hours. This was repeated after Communion on the following 40 mornings. These ecstasies were rich experiences of union with God and contained marvelous insights into divine truths.

    As a safeguard against deception and to preserve the revelations, her confessor asked Mary Magdalene to dictate her experiences to sister secretaries. Over the next six years, five large volumes were filled. The first three books record ecstasies from May of 1584 through Pentecost week the following year. This week was a preparation for a severe five-year trial. The fourth book records that trial and the fifth is a collection of letters concerning reform and renewal. Another book, Admonitions, is a collection of her sayings arising from her experiences in the formation of women religious.

    It seems that God permitted her this special closeness to prepare her for the five years of desolation that followed when she experienced spiritual dryness. She was plunged into a state of darkness in which she saw nothing but what was horrible in herself and all around her. She had violent temptations and endured great physical suffering. She died in 1607 at 41, and was canonized in 1669.

Born 1566 at Florence, Italy as Catherine

Died 25 May 1607

Beatified 8 May 1626 by Pope Urban VIII Canonized 28 April 1669 by Pope Clement IX

Images Gallery of images of Saint Mary [3 images]

Additional Information http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintm12.htm

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Readings

Prayer ought to be humble, fervent, resigned, persevering, and accompanied with great reverence. One should consider that he stands in the presence of a God, and speaks with a Lord before whom the angels tremble from awe and fear.

Saint Mary Magdalen de Pazzi

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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.

Come! As you descended upon Mary that the Word might become flesh, work in us through grace as you worked in her through nature and grace.

Come! Food of every chaste thought, fountain of all mercy, sum of all purity.

Come! Consume in us whatever prevents us from being consumed in you.

from the writings of Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi

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A little drop of simple obedience is worth a million times more than a whole vase of the choicest contemplation.

Saint Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi