kam
48
Feb. 21, St. Margaret of Cortona, penitent, Franciscan Third Order Secular, d. 1297, Plenary Indulgence possible (renewal of engagements of the Franciscan Third Order Secular) St. Margaret, the “Mary …More
Feb. 21, St. Margaret of Cortona, penitent, Franciscan Third Order Secular, d. 1297, Plenary Indulgence possible (renewal of engagements of the Franciscan Third Order Secular)

St. Margaret, the “Mary Magdalen of the Seraphic Order”, will always be a comforting example of the infinite mercy of God, and the subject of legitimate hope for all sinners. Her life had been scandalous for nine years, when suddenly the tragic death of the one who had been her companion in vice, awoke her soul to thoughts of the judgment of God. From then on she had a strong horror of her previous ill-conduct, and wished above all to make reparation for it by devoting the rest of her life to severe penance. She shed tears for days and nights in succession at the thought of her excesses. She practiced severe mortification, especially for the first three years after her conversion. She obtained the entire remission of her sins through the intercession of St. Francis, who assured her of this, and recovered the high honour of baptismal innocence. The Savior, who had made her His beloved Spouse, showed her the place which He had reserved for her among the Seraphim next to her dear Parton, St. Mary Magdalen. “Heaven”, she was once told by Our Lord, “has set you up to be above all the hope of those who have abandoned hope. Whatever you ask of my Father for them will be given you, and those who love you and have recourse to you will receive a special grace.” On another occasion the Lord told her, “You are the third light given to the Order of my beloved Francis. He was himself the first of the Friars Minor, the blessed Clare is the second in the Order of Nuns, you yourself must be the third in the Order of Penitents.” The body of this saint has remained without corruption in the church of the Friars Minor at Cortona. This illustrious penitent was canonized by Benedict XIII in 1728. – (from) The Franciscan Supplement.