On December 21, 2015, Fr Fernando Millán Romeral, prior general of the Carmelite Order, sent a letter to all the communities worldwide to remind us to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the birth of St Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi on April 2.

This anniversary will end on May 25, 2017, the day this saint entered the kingdom of heaven. She was born in Florence in 1566, and was baptised the day after with the name of Catherine. She had a good childhood education. When she was 17, she was accepted into the Carmelite Nuns of St Mary of the Angels in Florence, her native city and given the name Sister Mary Magdalene.

During her novitiate, she had a serious illness which lasted for two months. However, by a miracle she recovered from her illness and for three years she was assistant mistress for the novices and became sexton; she then spent another six years as novice mistress. For some time, she was in charge of the nuns in their formation. She died at the age of 60 in 1626 and was declared saint on April 22, 1669.

Not much is known about her spirituality; in fact, the prior general asked the communities to learn more about this saint. In addition to her deep spiritual life, she observed her religious vows conscientiously and led a hidden life of prayer and self-denial. She was filled with a powerful desire to renew the Church, aware that it was in urgent need of reform.

The central theme in her spirituality (although not thought out in a fully systematic fashion) is love. We are created by God with love and by love. The main purpose of love is to unite the soul with God. Spiritual life is like a circle, inspired by love, which in God has as its point of departure and time of arrival.

St Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi had a great devotion to Our Lady and was a significant inspiration in the development of the Carmelite Marian devotion. Five original manuscripts of her mystical experiences during her ecstasy were recorded by her nuns.

The Maltese Carmelite province will be organising several activities to mark this anniversary. A retreat for the friars was held on April 2 by Fr Charlo Camilleri, an expert on this holy saint. A pilgrimage to Florence where her incorrupt body lies will also be held.

On May 25, 2017, a solemn Mass in the sanctuary’s Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Valletta, will be held to mark her feast day.

In addition, other activities will be held, holy pictures will be distributed and information about her life will be published in Maltese.