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St. Margaret of Cortona

St. Margaret of Cortona

St. Margaret of Cortona

Feastday: February 22
1247 - 1297

Margaret of Cortona, penitent, was born in Loviana in Tuscany in 1247. Her father was a small farmer. Margaret's mother died when she was seven years old. Her stepmother had little care for her high-spirited daughter. Rejected at home, Margaret eloped with a youth from Montepulciano and bore him a son out of wedlock. After nine years, her lover was murdered without warning. Margaret left Montpulciano and returned as a penitent to her father's house. When her father refused to accept her and her son, she went to the Friars Minor at Cortona where she received asylum. Yet Maragaret had difficulty overcoming temptations of the flesh. One Sunday she returned to Loviana with a cord around her neck. At Mass, she asked pardon for her past scandal. She attempted to mutilate her face, but was restrained by Friar Giunta. Margaret earned a living by nursing sick ladies. Later she gave this up to serve the sick poor without recompense, subsisting only on alms. Evenually, she joined the Third Order of St. Francis, and her son also joined the Franciscans a few years later. Margaret advanced rapidly in prayer and was said to be in direct contact with Jesus, as exemplified by frequent ecstacies. Friar Giunta recorded some of the messages she received from God. Not all related to herself, and she courageously presented messages to others. In 1286, Margaret was granted a charter allowing her to work for the sick poor on a permanent basis. Others joined with personal help, and some with financial assistance. Margaret formed her group into tertiaries, and later they were given special status as a congregation which was called The Poverelle ("Poor Ones"). She also founded a hospital at Cortona and the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mercy. Some in Cortona turned on Margaret, even accusing her of illicit relations with Friar Giunta. All the while, Margaret continued to preach against vice and many, through her, returned to the sacraments. She also showed extraordinary love for the mysteries of the Eucharist and the Passion of Jesus Christ. Divinely warned of the day and hour of her death, she died on February 22, 1297, having spent twenty-nine years performing acts of penance. She was canonized in 1728. Her feast day is February 22nd.

 
from Wikipedia

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1 - 20 of 31 Comments

  1. Eustace
    2 months ago

    St Margaret of Cortona, you are met rejection from your mother in law and you managed your way through and you came to know our Lord Jesus Christ, Pray for all people who are currently homeless, orphaned , and the people who are insane, especially my young nephew who is insane, pray for Alvin that he may heal from his current state and become a reasonable citizen. i ask these request prayers through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

  2. EGOLUM GABRIEL
    2 months ago

    It is amazing how a sinner can suddenly change and become a saint. Dear St Margaret, help us to see the events in our lives as means of answering God's call. Please assist us to discover God's purpose for our lives and be able to accomplish it through Christ our Lord. Amen!

  3. Robin Springer
    2 months ago

    Thank you for being our patron saint, for the causes you pray for. Please also look after the people in the Tenderloin area of San Francisco CA, many souls out here in need of your thoughts & help. Thank you & blessings to all-
    Amen

  4. general unknown anonymous usmc ****
    2 months ago

    st margaret of cortona pray for us!

  5. Raj Ambrose
    2 months ago

    Dear Saint,

    Enable us to be penitent for the heinous sins we have committed. Pray for us that we with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will be able to overcome temptations of the flesh and bear witness to our Beloved God, the Father. Amen.

  6. Joseph Mathew
    2 months ago

    St. Margret of Cortona, please pray for me, tobe guided by the Holy Spirit in whatever I say or do.

  7. Mona
    2 months ago

    Please pray for Jacob that he finds peace and the right path, for his mother that the doctors can slow the dementia, and for all cancer patients that we deal with the disease with grace and dignity. Thank you..

  8. Robert Burford
    2 months ago

    I too am obese. I have lost 4 lbs since lent started. St Margaret please help me to continue after lent is over.

  9. Jp Talty
    2 months ago

    I don't know about you guys, but I am super excited for this feast day!!! Go saint Margaret of Cortona.

  10. John
    3 months ago

    Please Saint Margaret pray for me. The fight with temptation has overcome me many times, pray that I may be able to get back up and fight it off.

  11. Gabriela
    7 months ago

    O dear saint margret, please help the obese like myself and all the people in the world, please help the poor, the homeless, the sick, the sinners to penance like you did, please ask the divine Jesus my special request if it be divine will. Amen ...GOD BLESS EVERYONE

  12. Sheena Kochon
    8 months ago

    Dear Saint Margret of Cortona, I hope you will accept to be my patron saint. I ask if you can please pray for me to our Heavenly Father. I need help with perseverance and purity. Please pray to God that He grants me the grace to be strong in avoiding temptations and for me and my partner to follow God's will for us and to persevere against temptations. I want to follow our Lord the way you did by doing penance please pray for me to follow Jesus our Lord.
    Thank you, you are such an inspiration.

    Sincerely,
    Sheena Kochon

  13. Gabriela
    1 year ago

    Please St. Margaret of Cortona intercede for Antonio that he may overcome temptations of the flesh. Thank you.

  14. Alfredo Simonelli
    1 year ago

    I would like to receive the saint on the day. Through my e-mail please.
    Thank you

  15. Joseph Mathew
    1 year ago

    Dear St. Margret of Cortona, please pray for me.

  16. Patricia Chamberlin
    1 year ago

    In the name of Jesus, dear Saint Margherita please intercede for all, especially for my son, William, that he will get help for depression and anxiety. TY. In Faith, hope, & Love please hear my prayer. Sweet, Jesus hear our prayers . Amen

  17. Patricia Chamberlin
    1 year ago

    In the name of Jesus, dear Saint Margherita please intercede for all, especially for my son, William, that he will get help for depression and anxiety. TY. In Faith, hope, & Love please hear my prayer. Sweet, Jesus hear our prayers . Amen

  18. christie
    1 year ago

    St. Margaret of Cortona, I admire you for in your case sanctity did not come easily, yet you chose to repent and give The Holy Eucharist the most important priority in your life. Bless us poor sinners during this holy season of Lent. Help us through your holy and powerful intercession. Amen

  19. Richard Dougherty
    1 year ago

    The life of St. Margaret is inspiring and rewarding to me as she demonstrates that with the love of the Lord, self disipline, and conviction anything is possible when you walk with God.
    God Bless All

  20. Mario Fuentes
    1 year ago

    ST.MARGARET OF CORTONA WAS THE PATRONESS OF WEIGHT LOSS, EATING DISORDERS, AND OBESITY


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