April 10, 2025

Saint of the Day for April 10:

Magdalene of Canossa

(March 1, 1774 – April 10, 1835)

Listen to Saint Magdalene of Canossa’s story here

Wealth and privilege did nothing to prevent today’s saint from following her calling to serve Christ in the poor. Nor did the protests of her relatives, concerned that such work was beneath her.

Born in northern Italy in 1774, Magdalene knew her mind—and spoke it. At age 15 she announced she wished to become a nun. After trying out her vocation with the cloistered Carmelites, she realized her desire was to serve the needy without restriction. For years she worked among the poor and sick in hospitals and in their homes, and also among delinquent and abandoned girls.

In her mid-20s, Magdalene began offering lodging to poor girls in her own home. In time she opened a school, which offered practical training and religious instruction. As other women joined her in the work, the new Congregation of the Canossian Daughters of Charity—or Canossian Sisters—emerged. Over time, houses were opened throughout Italy.

Members of the new religious congregation focused on the educational and spiritual needs of women. Magdalene also founded a smaller congregation for priests and brothers. Both groups continue to this day.

Magdalene died in 1835. Pope John Paul II canonized her in 1988.

Reflection

Let us pray to Saint Magdalene for the many young women who are caught up in the sex trafficking epidemic of our day.

Explore the beauty of existence through the eyes of the beloved author and friar, Murray Bodo, OFM, in this collection of poetry!

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MINUTE MEDITATIONS

Mary the Mystic

Mary’s life, like that of her son, will be a living out of her own canticle. She will enter into the mysteries of Christ’s life. Like the Christian mystics after her, she will participate in a more intense way in the very mystery that she is sharing. As the model of intimacy with God, Mary will enter into the death and resurrection of her son. She will stand beneath the cross of his dying; she will rise with him body and soul in the mystery of her Assumption into heaven.

Franciscans pray a seven-decade rosary, the Franciscan Crown, based on the Seven Joys of Mary, that for me summarizes what it means to enter into the mystery of how we are transformed by and into Christ. The mystic knows in a uniquely graced way these mysteries that we believe and live out as we try to be true to the mystery of our baptism.

—from the book Mystics: Twelve Who Reveal God’s Love
by Murray Bodo, OFM

PAUSE+PRAY

Serving Others

Reflect

Laura Montoya Upegui (1874-1949) had risen to be a Colombian school’s deputy director despite her own humble beginnings. Her faith had sustained her, and led her to work among indigenous people north of Medellín—a controversial ministry at the time for women. But Laura knew God loved those in the jungle, and that was all that mattered.

Pray

Father,
may I never forget
my beginnings,
or those of my ancestors.
May I always serve others
heart to heart,
soul to soul,
knowing we are all beloved by you.

Act

Make a donation of time, talent, or treasure to an organization or cause that helped you when you needed it most.

Today's Pause+Pray was written by Melanie Rigney. Learn more here!