former life of St. Magdelene of Canossa

pp. 5-36

March 1, 1774, in Verona; 3rd child of Marquis Ottavio and Countess Teresa Szluha.

When and where was Magdalene of Canossa born?

Marquis Ottavio

father of Magdelene

Countess Teresa Szluh

twenty year old wife of Marquis Ottavio

Parents had expected a son and heir. Her mother exclaimed, "I would throw her in the Adige!"

Why was her birth a disappointment to her parents?

August 21, 1776, two years later after Magdalene

when was Bonifacio (the heir and 5th child) born?

where was Saint Magdalene baptized

Parish of San Lorenzo

Count Giorgio Giusti and Countess Maddalena Trissino.

Godparents of St. Magdelene

Rosa

October 7, 1777; 6th child

Eleonora

May 8, 1779; 7th child

Laura

1772; 1st daughter

Carlo Vincenzo

died shortly after birth; 1st child

Domenica Cobelli from the hamlet of Stelle near Verona.

Who and where was Magdalene's nurse from whom stayed loyal to her all her life

Countess Matilde

what descendants are the canossa?

Carlos

father of Marquis Ottavio

Girolamo

brother of Marquis Ottavio

Luigi, Borgia and Francesco

uncles of Marquis Ottavio

A seizure at Valdagno on Oct 5, 1779, during a geological excursion in the Lessini hills; he died the next day, aged 39.

How did Marquis Ottavio (Magdalene's father) die

Msgr. Antonio Maria Munaretti

who assisted Marquis Ottavio and gave him xtreme Unction and
sacramental absolution.

the church of the Capuchin nuns in a vault specially built by the family.

where was Marquiss Ottavio buried?

Remarried Marquis Odoardo Zenetti of Mantua in Verona, leaving her five children, aged 2 to 9, who were orphans twice over but kept in contact with them (especially bonifacio)

What did Countess Teresa Szluha do after her husband's death

mentality was open and different from the Marquises so she felt out of place and unwanted within the family

why did Countess Teresa Szluha remarry after her husband's death

Marquis Odoardo Zenetti of Mantua

remarried Countess Teresa Szluha

How did seven-year-old Magdalene handle her mother's departure?

She shut it in her heart and kept absolute, respectful silence. Later she said, "Mother loved her children very much."

Francesca Capron, a French woman; French governesses were thought best for preparing noble daughters for society

Who was the governess hired for the Canossa girls, and what was her nationality?

On the surface, seemed elegant and affectionate, soon but was actually a unscrupulous woman.

Personality of Francesca Capron

she favored her as she thought her headstrong personality were qualities necessary for a future society lady

how did Francesca Capron treat Magdelene in the beginning

Magdalene copied a Venetian visitor's warning ("Woe betide young ladies who learn catechism in the same way as they learn grammar, history and geography!") into her catechism book after she bursted mid-meeting; Capron saw it as insolence.

What incident made Miss Capron turn against Magdalene?

With silence and obedience; she never rebelled. She said, "Madame is right. I am the one who is bad.

How did Magdalene react to years of unfair treatment by Capron?

She refused lessons from Italian teacher Giuseppe Mondini, whose words endangered purity. He was dismissed; Capron resigned and married him in April 1789. Magdalene sent a wedding present.

When did Magdalene speak up against Capron's circle, and what was the result

Malignant fever, then sciatica (treated with caustic substances), then serious smallpox that required isolation.

What was the sequence of Magdalene's mysterious illness

What lasting physical effects did the illness leave?

A weak chest and a contraction in her arms.

What did Magdalene say when relatives feared smallpox would scar her face?

"I don't have to look pleasing. I am going to be a nun."

a miracle from heaven

how did families describe magdelene’s recovery

Around age five; she wrote to Fr. Federici, a Dominican in Treviso.

At what age did Magdalene first feel the call to give herself to Christ, and to whom did she write about it at 17

Besides her religious vocation, what second inclination did Magdalene strongly feel?

Charity toward the poor, the sick, orphans, and those without love; it budded during her illness and ill-treatment.

at the theatre, her escort complimented her in a way not entirely without significance when her family made advantageous matches for her

what made magdelene realize she needed to announce her vocation

Jesus Christ is her spouse

what did magdelene state resolutely during her vocation to her family

Why did Magdalene hesitate to answer the call to the cloister?

She felt the cloister would clip the wings of her charity; the poor flocked to Canossa Palace and needed her bread, clothing, help and smile.

How did Magdalene announce her vocation to her family?

At table, half jokingly, she said she had accepted a proposal from the best man in the world, Jesus Christ.

During Laura’s marriage, she asked her uncles to allow her to retire to the monastery of Teresa, Outside Porta Romana in Verona to avoid distractions from the marriage preparation

how did Magdalene leave her family home

First meet three former Jesuits of great culture that her uncles examined and advised her not to go to the convent but her confessor told otherwise

what did magdelene do before leaving family home

Father Stefano of the Sacred Heart, a Carmelite

who was the confessor that told Magdalene to go into seclusion immediately

what are the two things did she find oppressive in the the Monastery of the Terese?

She disliked the monastery grating and not being able to engage in works of charity.

What did Sister Luigia della Croce tell Magdalene about her vocation?

That she was called not to an enclosed life but an apostolic one, and should go home. Luigia soon became prioress.

What happened with the Discalced Carmelites of Conegliano?

Fr. Ildefonso ordered her to join; she stayed three days, then returned to Verona intending to come back, but God, through unforeseen means, prevented it.

What did her mother say after their last meeting at Valeggio sul Mincio?

"Magdalene is a saint. A saint!" They met at the villa of Laura, then Countess Maffei.

What did Sister Luigia's letter tell Magdalene after the Carmel disappointment?

That God not wanting her as a Discalced nun did not mean He refused her as His bride; accept it as a "means of sanctification."

A diocesan priest of about fifty, suggested by Sister Luigia; her guide for about nine years. About 68 of his letters survive; he died January 22, 1800.

Who was Don Luigi Libera, and how long was he Magdalene's guide?

How did Don Libera's method differ from the Carmelites'?

He used understanding and respected her freedom rather than authority and forcing his will. His first advice was a year of withdrawn life at home, praying to know God's will.

How did Don Libera address Magdalene's scruples and temptations against faith

He urged simple obedience and trust, said fear of God should be filial and born of love, and told her to pray three times a day affirming the Church's faith, without scrupulosity.

Which spiritual practices did Don Libera encourage in Magdalene?

Frequent or daily Communion (against Jansenist custom), visits to the Blessed Sacrament, mental prayer, and devotion to Mary; he also warned that her activity must not become activism.

What did Claudia Maria Buri (Uncle Girolamo’s wife) ask of Magdalene on her death-bed in November 1797?

To look after her baby, Carlino, and be his mother. Magdalene accepted and stayed at home, seeing God's will.

What was Magdalene's governing principle as mistress of the Canossa house?

Prevent so as not to have to repress; her rule: "Few words and many facts." Religion was central (Rosary, Sacraments), she was firm without favouritism, and paid wages promptly.

Why did the Canossa family flee to Venice, and what did Magdalene answer when asked who was looking after her?

The family fled because of Napoleon’s invasion and threatened to set fire to Verona. Her uncles stayed behind in Verona at first, so Magdalene had to organize everything and when people asked who woudl take care of her she would answer “Magdalene!” and run off lightly and unconcernedly to busy herself with something else.

What were the Pasque Veronesi (Veronese Easters)?

The Easter Monday popular uprising against the French, crushed with reprisals: 46 noblemen taken hostage (incl. Bishop Avogadro and Count Maffei, Laura's husband), and three counts condemned to be shot.

According to Bresciani, what was Magdalene's dream in Venice?

A lady with six young women in brown habits, black shawls and Our Lady of Sorrows medallions, sending them to teach catechism, assist the sick, and run a school for poor children; the vision of her future Institute.