Mother Mary Magdalene of the Incarnation, foundress of the Order of Perpetual Adoration, was born into the Sordini family on April 16, 1770, in Porto di Santo Stefano, Italy. She was baptized in the village church and called Catalina Maria Francesca Antonia. She had an inquisitive, independent nature, and she was impulsive and sometimes mischievous.

                 Her family was well off and Catalina Maria grew in an atmosphere of comfort and wealth. Still, she was always conscious of the deep spirituality of her parents. The examples of her family’s devotion of the Blessed Sacrament and of the spiritual corporal works of mercy they practiced had a profound effect on this child of God.

                 Her father, a deeply religious man, was especially devoted to the Holy Eucharist and spent a great deal o money and time n helping to establish the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for adoration. Catalina eagerly awaited these special days and found delight in taking her place in adoration before the Lord. During this time a change began tin her life. The impetuous child matured into an obedient, industrious, patient, and thoughtful youth.

                 In the presence of the Lord, Catalina was being prepared for her vocation in life: her prayer life increased, and she attended Mass more frequently, she practiced voluntary penance and mortification and spent many hours before the Lord in adoration. In this intimate union of love Catalina had many mystical experiences.

                 Catalina Maria’s forthcoming engagement and marriage, arranged by her family, was altered when she had a vision of the crucified Christ. Advised by her confessor and with the approval of her father, she entered the Franciscan Order on October 26, 1788. It was here that she received the Franciscan habit and was given the name of Mother Mary Magdalene of Incarnation. One year later, at the age of eighteen, Mother Mary Magdalene was rewarded by our Lord for her deep love for Him in the Most Holy Sacrament. Still a novice, she was put in charge of the refectory. As she was sweeping the dining hall, she became more and more absorbed in her thoughts of the tabernacle in the chapel which stood beyond the wall of the refectory. Then, before her eyes, the wall vanished and she beheld the Sacred Host in transcended glory surrounded with angels robed in white garments wearing red scapulars. This ecstasy was the beginning of a divine inspiration which our Lord told her to found an Order of Perpetual Adoration, so that the Blessed Sacrament would be adored day and night.

                 In 1807, Pope Pius VII gave his approval and blessing to the founding of this Order. The new order suffered many trials, persecutions and separation in the years to come. But the Lord was constantly in Mother’s presence, assuring her of His grace and love and of His desire for her to persevere. In September, 1903 another Monastery opened in Guadalajara, Mexico.