Sanctity and Despair

St Mary Magdalen dei Pazzi O.Carm (1566-1607 – feast day today) was a much younger Italian contemporary of St Teresa; her incorrupt body remains in the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Florence.  ‘Born into the famous and wealthy family of dei Pazzi in Florence, she was christened Catherine. … She grew up to be a beautiful young woman and at sixteen, against the wishes of her family, she decided to become a Carmelite nun and took the name Mary Magdalen.  Professed in 1584 (two years after Teresa died), Mary Magdalen went on to become novice mistress and sub-prioress.’  One very moving thing about her life was that from the age of 38 ‘onwards she was bed-ridden, suffering physical pain, such as violent headaches and paralysis, spiritual aridity and temptations to suicide. She often alternated between being lifeless and being in lively conversation with Christ and the saints.  She continued to be able to do practical things like embroidery during her ecstasies. She sometimes prophesied future events and could read the secrets of the hearts of those who consulted her.’   [Courtesy of catholicireland.net]  It is good to be reminded that canonised beings are not necessarily above the ordinary mundane plagues of the spiritual life.  Periods of aridity and dark despair make us feel so guilty, and yet they can be just par for the course of those whose aim is to devote themselves to God.

Intercessions

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Sister Daranee Teapthong, Theresa K

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (recovering from stroke)

Illness:  Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

We are asked to pray for the Diocese of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, as the Northern Mission celebrates its centenary. The process of selecting a new bishop continues.