The Blessed

Probably in 1560 - thanks to the Carmel's deep friendship with a lay Dominican, Maria Bartolomea Bagnesi (1514-1577), Saint Magdalene was introduced to Savonarola's reformist circles headed by St. Catherine de' Ricci. This was an event that motivated and moved all Carmelites, including Mother Evangelista to a passion for Savonarola's ideas, and pushed them for a reform for the local Church of St. Catherine of Siena. 

At her death, her body was buried under the altar, and her books became a pillar for the training of the novice, as his confessor, don Agostino Campi, had already become the governor of the monastery. There were also some contacts with the Ippolito Galantini, a contemporary of S. Magdalene.

 St. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi

In this climate of renewal and enthusiasm, Catherine entered the Pazzi family (1566-1607), in religion Sister Mary Magdalene of the Incarnate Word, the future Saint, which formed on the Word, made the announcement of the Trinity, the heart of her spiritual journey as the possibility of a genuine renewal of the Church the Bride. In this respect, she also dictated several letters addressed to Pope Sixtus V and S. Catherine de' Ricci. 

The process for the canonization which started on 22 April 1669, culminated a few years after her death. Her liturgical feast is celebrated on May 25th. 

Florentine Carmel guards not only the uncorrupted body of St. Mary Magdalene, but also the saint's commentary on the Scripture, which is full of profound theology. It was recorded by the sisters, under the guidance of Sister Maria Pacifica (del Tovaglia). The sisters who witnessed the saint's obedience to the Spirit are precious as they provide to scholars a unique asset (all the tools) for studying Saint Magdalene's faith and thought.

The monastery of the Church contains some paintingsby Curradi and Sagrestani (XVII-XVIII c.) who interpret the figure of the Saint according to the needs of the time. They give attention to her extraordinary mission of renewing the Church. 

Several notable holy figures took Saint. Magdalene as a spiritual reference including mother Innocence Barberini in Rome, mother Rosa Maria Serio in Fasano, mother Serafina of God in Capri, and mother Minima Luisa of Jesus of Nazareth in Vetralla. 

Important Sisters

Several sisters, including St. Magdalene, were enriched in spiritual discernment, like Sister Benedicta Vettori (+ 1598), among the most respected novices from St. Maddalena, Mother Mary Sommai (+ 1616), Mother Maria Grazia Pazzi (nephew of St. Maria Maddalena), the Mother Minima Strozzi (+ 1672 venerable), Mother Serafica Orlandini (1740 +) or Mother Francesca Falconcini (+1849). 

There are over seventy sisters who are recognized and considered venerable witnesses.

Particularly during the 1900 there were sisters who distinguished themselves for promoting spiritual formation thanks to the translation and publication of the original works of Sister Gesualda Sardi (+ 1930, the first French translator of the works of St. Therese of Child Jesus and the Bl. Elizabeth Trinity in Italian), defined by Mother Agnes of Lisieux "Teresina in Florence," Sister Teresa of the Child Jesus (Sardi) and Apulian, Sister Minima Monterisi (+1986), for many decades, diligent and archivist. 

　 Tours and transfers

In 1804 Pius VII, and in 1857 Pius IX, visited this Community.

During the course of centuries, the Carmel of S. Mary Magdalene, moved three times. Firstly, in 1624 when Urban VIII asked the monastery of San Frediano to be moved to Borgo Pinti, as he had his grandchildren in it.

There he went on pilgrimage to S. Therese in 1887.

In 1888, the site was requisitioned and moved by P. Savonarola, so that the nuns had to abandon this site.

But in 1928 after a devastating earthquake, it was necessary to shift the monastery further to the hills of Careggi, where many friends and witnesses, including Giorgio La Pira, Fioretta Mazzei, Don Milani, Don Barsotti and many others, continued to venerate the bodies of St M. Magdalene and the Blessed. 

Today

The Sisters continue their fraternal life made of prayer, work, silence, and they are animated by "the anxious desire" of a salvation for every creature, a salvation which was so dear to their Holy Mother, and which was thought for the benefit of the whole Church.

In recent years, in addition to the normal reception of pilgrims coming from various parts of the world to venerate St Mary Magdalene, the Community is getting ready to offer new accommodations and work tools to all scholars interested in a renewed study and understanding of Saint Maria Maddalena's scientific thoughts.