Note: To observe the Jubilee Year of Mercy (which runs through November 20), for several weeks I am featuring women who exemplify one of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy. Today: Shelter the homeless.
The Basics: Born about 1247 in Italy; died February 22, 1297, in Italy; canonized May 16, 1728, by Benedict XIII; feast day, February 22. Mother; third-order Franciscan.
The Story: Margaret was desperate. The beautiful, somewhat willful, only child of a working-
class couple, her mother had died when she was seven. She and her stepmother didn’t see eye to eye, and so when the girl was seventeen, she left home with a man of means. Marriage was out of the question given the difference in their classes (although the man continually promised otherwise), so Margaret lived as his mistress and born a son. After about ten years, the man was killed. Griefstricken and her conscience overwhelmed for the way she had lived, Margaret returned all the man’s gifts to his family and went home. But there, she faced a cool reception. Her father disagreed with Margaret’s plans for public penance, and her stepmother didn’t want her in the house. Not knowing where else to turn for shelter, Margaret and her son went tot he Franciscan friars. They were warmly welcome, and Margaret was allowed to do penance as she felt she needed, with guidance (and limitations) from a spiritual adviser. Three years later, she became a lay Franciscan and helped to establish a hospital for the poor. She spent much of the rest of her life in prayer and penance; her son became a friar.
Margaret’s Wisdom: “The way of salvation is easy; it is enough to love.”
What We Can Learn from Margaret: It’s easy and perhaps human to say, “I told you so” when people’s sins catch up with them, as Margaret’s stepmother in essence did. May we instead emulate the Franciscan friars who sheltered Margaret and her son, and helped her get back on track.
To Learn More About Margaret: Visit St. Margaret of Cortona Church, where her body is preserved.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my books, Blessed Are You: Finding Inspiration from Our Sisters in Faith or Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
