Blessed Maria Magdalena Panatieri

(1443 – October 13, 1503)

Holiday: October 13

Also Known As: Maddalena Panattieri, Magdalena Panatieri

Magdalena was born in Trino Vercellese (Piedmont, Italy) in 1443 and entered the Order of Penance of Saint Dominic at the age of 20 with the decision to serve God with a penitential life.

She saw her role model in Saint Catherine of Siena and often went to the church dedicated to her. She also took care of the poor and small children. She is said to have acted miraculously for them more than once. Her love for the needy also played an important role in the conversion of sinners, for whom Magdalena prayed and sacrificed various forms of suffering.

Among those whom she won for Christ was her brother, afflicted with an incurable disease and healed by her intercession. She herself visited the sick and prepared them to receive the sacraments. She tried to help the priests and had a certain eloquence. Then she used it in the chapel of the Dominican church, where she was allowed to teach women and children. Religious people also sought her out for her charisma of theological knowledge. Magdalena had certain revelations and led a contemplative life. She predicted the great disaster that befell Northern Italy at the end of the 15th century.

She died in Trino on October 13, 1503 and her body is venerated in the church of the Brothers Preachers.

Magdalena received formal beatification from Pope Leo XII on September 26, 1827, after the Pope confirmed that a "cult" (or popular devotion) to Magdalena Panattieri existed and continued since her death.