St. Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi
St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi is renowned for the many mystical experiences she had. This is why she is often depicted in a state of ecstasy. From her words, which her fellow sisters promptly recorded during such moments, we present two statements on a theme that was perhaps dearest to her and to which she continually returns: “God is love” (1 John 4:16). And Jesus is the Bridegroom who prepares his bride, the Church, for the wedding and who invites every believing soul to a relationship of deep, faithful love: Mary Magdalene herself, individuals in consecrated life (to whom the first quote primarily addresses), indeed everyone.1
An impressive place in the Florentine monastery where St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi lived is the laundry in the basement of the building, still furnished as it was in the time when this mystic worked there quite prosaically. Only an altar has been added so that Holy Mass can occasionally be celebrated here, and an inscription that urges the arriving pilgrim: “Enter with respect! The steps, bricks, and walls you tread upon and gaze at have been honored by the foot and sanctity of St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi.”
“O soul created from love and for love,
why do you not love Love?…”
“O Unloved and Unknown Love!
O Love, let it be,
that all creation loves you, Love…”
“O Love, Love,
is it possible that you have no other name than Love?
You are so poor in names, O Love!
You certainly have many,
but it greatly pleases you to be called by this name, O Love,
because in this name you reveal yourself to creatures.
Never, never, Love, will I be satisfied
to call you by this name: Love.”
