The Basics: Born in 289 in Turkey; died in 304; canonized precongregation; feast day, July 20. Martyr.
The Story: Margaret’s story is by turns fantastic and comforting. Her mother died when she was young, and she spent a fair amount of ti
me with the woman who nursed her, even as Margaret aged. Eventually, she became a Christian and was disowned by her father. When she was fifteen or so, an official, struck by her beauty, wanted to marry her, which would have involved the renunciation of her faith. When Margaret refused, she was tortured in ways that require us to suspend disbelief. Ultimately, she was beheaded, but her story lives on. She is the patron saint for childbirths, perhaps because one of the tortures was supposed to have involved the devil as a dragon first ingesting, then expelling her. Margaret also is one of the saints who spoke to St. Joan of Arc.
What We Can Learn from Margaret: When we have God, we have all we need to battle the devil in whatever form he takes.
To Learn More About Margaret: Take a look at the entry on Margaret in Middle English Legends of Women Saints, including a lengthy poem about this saint.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
