Biography of Maria Maddelena Frescobaldi Capponi, Foundress

On November 11, 1771, four years before the death of St. Paul of the Cross, Maria Maddelena Fresobaldi was born into a noble Florentine family. She was the fourth and last child. Her two older sisters were Virginia and Anastasia. There was also an older brother, Francis who lived only a few days.

At that time, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Prince Pete Leopold of Lorena was the ruler. That family had relational ties with Austria. The Frescobaldis were an old noble family; their names appear in the annals of Florence as far back as the 13th cent. and were considered one of the most powerful houses of Florence. The title of Marquis was given to the family in 1680 and closed with the death of Maria Maddelena's father in 1809 as there were no male heirs.

We know she was baptized on Nov. 12, 1771 in the famous baptistery of St. John the Baptist, a few steps from the Duomo (Cathedral). Then, of the first 7 years of her childhood we know nothing. The first instance we have is that of her Confirmation on June 8, 1778 in the Cathedral. Then again we know practically nothing. It was the custom at that time for girls of noble families to go to a convent or some educational institution in the care of nuns for their education. The three Frescobaldi sisters seem to have done that but where is not known. Anastasia and Maria Maddelena appear again on the registers of Florence in 1789.

Although we don't have direct accounts of the family life in the Frescobaldi household we have an indirect means of looking in on it... the records of their father when the oldest sister chose to enter the Cappuchin Monastery in Florence. The government of that time had started to revamp everything... including who was called to enter the priesthood and religious life.

In those records of the Marquis Frescobaldi we find a family very united and loving, a father and mother who were very caring of all aspects of their children's lives. We read of a man who is delighted that his oldest daughter has made a choice that brings her great joy and spiritual happiness and yet admits that his heart is pierced by a sword at having to make the sacrifice of giving her to God. He is a man who prepares himself spiritually for all God asks of him.

We know that his wife Giuseppa was well educated.. . she had been trained to handle a household and patrimony well but also had a general education according to the culture of that time.

The father and mother together were able to transmit to their daughters a deep faith, Christian values and help them develop a good conscience.

Maria Maddelena grew up lively, intelligent, strong willed and volatile; she loved and hated with a passion; she know how to work for what she wanted.

Pier Robert Capponi, from another noble Florentine family asked permission to marry her. He was very much her opposite: meek and serious with severe habits, melancholy, very observant in his religious practices, of a reluctant character, communicative only with close friends and family. All his affections were for God, family and the prince.

In addition to the great difference in character there was also another great difference. When they married on Nov. 3,1789, Maria Maddlena was just 19 and Pier Roberto was already 38!

They took up residence in the Palace of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, he as the house steward and she as the woman of honour.



On July 31 the following year, a girl was born to the couple. She lived on y one year. Gino, the second child was born Sept. 14th 1792. A second girl, born on Feb. 7 1794 died only one month later and the last child, also a girl, born on the 12th of May 1795 died approximately one year later.

So, at less than 25 years of age, Maria Maddelana had learned to walk the sorrowful way of the cross with our Lady. Yet so important was God and His will to her, she prayed God to also take Gino, her only remaining child if he were not to grow up to be a good and honest person. (In fact he became a famous person in the area of pedagogy!)

The French Revolution, begun in 1789, began to have its effects all through Europe. In 1796, Bonaparte came to pay a courtesy visit to Tuscany, but in 1799 it became an invasion. The Grand Duke took flight to Austria and Pier Roberto went with him leaving his wife and child behind. The French took over her house for 20 days and from remnants of letters to her husband we find even in that dreadful time her sense of humour, courage and firmness didn't abandon her.

In 1801, both Maria Maddelena and Gino joined Pier Roberto in Vienna and they remained there until 1803.

By 1806, she had begun to go to assist the sick at the Hospital of St. Boniface. A hospital for the incurables and it was then that she began to see the young poor girls who became prostitutes. By the year 1811, she had opened a house for them. It was called the Retreat of St. Mary Magdalene, Repentant... to teach them what they would need to know to lead honourable lives and be able to obtain honest work. On her walks to the hospital she would talk to the girls along the way and little by little befriend them and offer them the possibility of changing their lives. If they wanted to do so of their own free will she would bring them to the Retreat. She would not admit anyone who did not come of their own free will or didn't show themselves capable of conversion. She didn't want them to have an adverse effect on those who really did want to repent.

Her son Gino had married in 1811 also but in 1814 after the birth of his second child his wife died and so Maria Maddelena from being a grandmother now became also mother to his children.

Her life had become quite full: wife, mother, grandmother, Mother and Guide to the Retreat opened for the prostitutes.

She had obtained the blessing of the Pope, Pius VII for her charitable work and encouragement to continue it.

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