Description
Founded in the late sixteenth century, the one-time Magdalene monastery in Valletta embraced the widest spectrum of women of pleasure: from affluent courtesans to back-street wenches, from barely adolescent daughters to age-hardened strumpets, surrendered, voluntarily in quest of security or forcibly incarcerated within the bleak monastery walls.
The life of these cloistral Repentants is vividly described in glory and shame, from contrite, edified converts, to rebellious, incorrigible relapsers – the stark contrast of piety, intrigue and iniquity – is the revelation of an incongruous monastic community. But the Repentants also evoke an aura of great spiritual commitment, sacrifice, talent and hard work.
In her study, the author also synthesizes the Magdalene Repentants’ successful financial acumen. Indeed, the Magdalenes accrued estates and a lucrative economic stability that proved the envy of all other cloistered institutions. A wealth that was obliterated overnight, by the stroke of a French pen, spelling their suppression and inexorable eclipse – now finally resurrected for the sake of memory and posterity.
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