St Margaret of Cortona
1247-1297
Feast Day May 16
 

Patron of mental illness, temptation, and those falsely accused

Let us ask St Margaret to help us refrain from judgment of others so that we are not found guilty of false accusations.  Let us pray that we and our beloved prodigals may be given the strength to fight and withstand temptation.  May those among us who suffer from mental stress and sickness be comforted and receive help.

Who was Saint Margaret of Cortona?

     Margaret's mother died when she was seven.  Her stepmother was not fond of her.  As a young woman Margaret ran off with a young man, gave birth to his son and lived as his mistress. When he was murdered, Margaret believed it a sign from God.  She publicly confessed her sin.  She and her child found a home with the Friars Minor at Cortona. Margaret was often tempted but continued to strive to amend her life.
    She accepted the task of caring for the sick and the poor, eventually living only on alms. She became a Franciscan tertiary (third order Franciscan) and developed a deep prayer life.
   She drew others into her life of prayer and, with their help, started a hospital.  She had great devotion to the Eucharist.
    Although she spent her life helping the poor and the sice, she remained the target of gossips who continued to speak of her earlier days throughout her entire life.

Writings about St Margaret

They buried her in the church of St. Basil in Cortona. Around her body, and later at her tomb, her confessor tells us that so many miracles, physical and spiritual, were worked that he could fill a volume with the record of those which he personally knew alone. And today Cortona boasts of nothing more sacred or more treasured than that same body, which lies there still incorrupt, after more than six centuries.

~Excerpt from Saints for Sinners
  by Alban Goodier, S.J.

  Prayer to Saint Margaret
by Pope John Paul II

     O Saint Margaret of Cortona, I too come today as a pilgrim and I pause to pray with you at the feet of the image of Christ Crucified and Risen, whom, as a penitent, you contemplated at length.
     Lord Jesus, crucified for us, in offering yourself on Calvary for all humanity, you have revealed to us the wellsprings of everlasting life. May the mystery of your Passion enlighten our life making us ready to follow you on the way of holiness and love. Rekindle our faith; teach us to recognize and welcome in our everyday life the plans of your mysterious Providence. Give us the courage to confess our sins and open our hearts to sorrow, in order to receive the gift of your mercy. Empower us to forgive our brethren following the example of your love that knows no bounds. Help us to be humbly disposed to repair the harm we have done by actively and generously serving the poor, the sick, and all who are marginalized and without hope.
     Give everyone the joy of persevering faithfully, in full harmony with the Church, along the way of the particular calling.
     Above all others, show the young the splendid plan of love that you intend to bring about for them.
     Enable us to be peacemakers, tenacious weavers of daily relationships of fraternal solidarity, artisans of reconciliation, witnesses and apostles of the civilization of love.
      O glorious Saint Margaret of Cortona, present this request to your Crucified Lord and ours. Guide us with the strength of your example, support us with your constant protection, be our companion we beg you, till we reach our Father’s house. Amen