St. Margaret of Cortona
St. Margaret of Cortona
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.
Previous Saint
< Bl. Margaret Ebner
Next Saint
St. Margaret Clitherow >
Rate This Saint
Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All
Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested
1 - 20 of 31 Comments
Leave a Comment
Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.
Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.
This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.
We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.
We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.
Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample
Previous Saint
< Bl. Margaret Ebner
Next Saint
St. Margaret Clitherow >
Find Saints
Catholic Online offers the largest searchable database of Catholic Saints on the internet.
| Browse Saints by Alphabet |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
| Patron Saints by Alphabet |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Videos
St. Francis of Assisi 80,693 views View Video
Padre Pio 48,933 views View Video
Black Saints Vol I 31,733 views View Video
Black Saints Vol II 28,004 views View Video
Most Popular
No-one Can Change the Truth About Fatherhood. Love Your Father. Be a Good Father Read More
Courageous Cardinal George of Chicago Defends Marriage, Calls for Public Conversion Read More
Fall of the Wall of Silence: More on Pope Francis and Reports of a 'Gay Lobby' in the Roman Curia Read More
Pope Francis Refers to 'gay lobby' inside Vatican Read More
Why Catholics Have Failed Our Culture: The Bottom Line Read More
Daily Readings
Reading 1, Second Corinthians 8:1-9
Next, brothers, we will tell you of the grace of God which has ... Read More
Psalm, Psalms 146:2, 5-6, 7, 8-9
I will praise Yahweh all my life, I will make music to my God ... Read More
Gospel, Matthew 5:43-48
'You have heard how it was said, You will love your neighbour ... Read More
Saint of the Day
St. Gregory Barbarigo
June 18: St. Gregory Barbarigo was born in 1625, of a very old and ... Read More
Latest Videos
Zanies Comedy Club - Comedian Sally Edwards View Video
Jun 18 - Homily - Fr. Benedict: St. Ephrem - Mary's Own Singer View Video
Jun 18 - Homily: Love those who Persecute us View Video
Pope Francis: Let us pray for our enemies! View Video
Pope discusses youth unemployment, with the President of the European Commission View Video
Marketplace
The Secret of the Rosary
Probably the finest book ever written about the Rosary; appeals to ... Read More
Personalized Christmas Ornaments
Choose from over 2,500 personalized Christmas ornaments and ... Read More




















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.
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!
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
st margaret of cortona pray for us!
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.
St. Margret of Cortona, please pray for me, tobe guided by the Holy Spirit in whatever I say or do.
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..
I too am obese. I have lost 4 lbs since lent started. St Margaret please help me to continue after lent is over.
I don't know about you guys, but I am super excited for this feast day!!! Go saint Margaret of Cortona.
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.
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
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
Please St. Margaret of Cortona intercede for Antonio that he may overcome temptations of the flesh. Thank you.
I would like to receive the saint on the day. Through my e-mail please.
Thank you
Dear St. Margret of Cortona, please pray for me.
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
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
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
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
ST.MARGARET OF CORTONA WAS THE PATRONESS OF WEIGHT LOSS, EATING DISORDERS, AND OBESITY