π Life Timeline
1247
Born in 1247 AD, Cortona, Italy
1247
MARGARET of CORTONA (St) O
1297
MARGARET of CORTONA (St) O
1728
ed her with supernatural charismata
1297
Died β February 22, 1297 AD, Cortona
1712
Canonized β 1712 by Pope Clement XI
β Biography
MARGARET of CORTONA (St) O.F.M. R.M. Feb. 22 1247-1297. Born at Laviano in Tuscany, a farmerβs daughter, she was the mistress of a young nobleman for nine years. In his sudden death she saw a judgment from heaven, and publicly confessing her sins in the church of Cortona, she placed herself under the direction of the Franciscan friars. She became a tertiary herself and the foundress of a convent and a hospital where she and her nuns tended the sick. She suffered from calumny and obloquy, but God favoured her with supernatural charismata. Canonized in 1728, Cf. Menzies β Att. β Holw.
MARGARET CLITHEROW (BI) M. A.C. March 25 1556-1586. Margaret Middleton was born at York, married John Clitherow and shortly after became a Catholic. For this she was
π‘ Patronage
Patron of: Reformed women, rape victims, those who have fallen from grace, and lepers.
π¬ Words of the Saint
The tears of contrition are the tears of love.
π Key Facts
Born
1247 AD, Cortona, Italy
Died
February 22, 1297 AD, Cortona
Feast Day
Feb 22
Canonized
1712 by Pope Clement XI
π Legacy
Margaret's conversion from a life of sin to extraordinary holiness made her a model of God's mercy. Her autobiography influenced countless spiritual writers. She proved that no past is beyond God's redemption.
π Personal Writings
Read excerpts from the saint's own words β their personal letters, spiritual writings, and teachings.
π Testimony
On Conversion
I was a sinner, but God had mercy on me. He called me from the darkness of sin to the light of grace. He transformed my heart, He healed my soul, He gave me a new life. I am His creature, His daughter, His friend.
β St. Margaret of Cortona