Born in Italy in 1774, she was the third of six children. 

Though she came from a wealthy family, whose residence was Canosa Palace, she did not have an easy childhood. Her father died and her mother remarried. 

In her mid-teens, Magdalen decided to become a nun and twice tried to join the Carmelites. But, she felt called to go out among and serve the poor. So she made a personal vow to follow Christ. 

Returning home to run the family estate, Magdalen would often leave, and provide her own personal ministry, visiting the sick in hospitals and their homes while also attending to the poor. 

After about a decade of this service, she opened her own home to those in need. Teaching and instructing those who came to her in their faith, and sharing her special devotion to The Crucified and Risen Lord. 

Eventually, other women joined Magdalen, and a new order, the Canossian Daughters of Charity, was formed. Later she would add a similar congregation for priests and brothers. 

She traveled across Italy, opening houses in Venice, Bergamo, Milan, and Trent, all the while being guided by The Holy Spirit. 

Magdalen died on this day in 1835 and was canonized in 1988 by St. Pope John Paul II. 

St. Magdalen of Canosa, please pray for us.