Born in 1247, Margaret was the only child of a family with a small farm in the hills of central Italy. Her mother died when she was seven, her father remarried, and Margaret constantly argued with her stepmother who tried to tame her wild and reckless ways. Unhappy at home and lured by the world, Margaret left home and moved in with a nobleman from another town. They lived together unwed for nine years and she bore his son. When she was 27, she found the nobleman murdered. Seeing it as a sign from God she and her son returned to her hometown, and a contemptuous greeting. The two moved to Cortona, her son became a friar, and Margaret became a Franciscan tertiary, preaching against all forms of vice and helping the sick and poor. She died at the age of 50.
CHALLENGE
Many people who struggled with vice and sin sought out St. Margaret of Cortona for her advice and counsel. Yet despite her obvious change of life, the town gossipers never stopped bringing up her scandalous past. Today, prayerfully reflect on how you speak of others and examine your conscience for the sins of gossip. Then make time this week to go to confession.
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