Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Margaret of Cortona.

In Laviano, Tuscany, Margaret was born to farmer parents. When Margaret was seven years old, her mother passed away, and because she found life with her stepmother challenging, she left. Despite not being married, Margaret shared nine years of Arsenio’s life and gave birth to a son for him. She was unsure of her situation during those years. She prayed for purity like Saint Augustine, but not right away.

Arsenio’s dog showed up while she waited for him one day. After being led into the forest by the dog, Margaret found Arsenio’s dead body. Margaret was so horrified by this crime that she decided to live a life of restitution. She returned to Laviano with her son, but her stepmother did not welcome her. They later traveled to Cortona, where her son eventually became a friar.

Three years after her conversion, in 1277, Margaret formally enrolled as a Franciscan tertiary. She led a life of prayer and penance in Cortona, following the instructions of her confessor, who occasionally had to tell her to scale back on her self-denial. There, she built a convent of tertiary sisters and a hospital. Margaret, who lived in poverty and humility, shared Francis’ devotion to the Eucharist and to the passion of Jesus. Her immense kindness attracted sinners to her for counsel and inspiration. In 1728, she became a saint. On February 22, people commemorate St. Margaret of Cortona.

Source: franciscanmedia.org