Born ~ 1287 at Meldola, Vado, Italy
Died ~ 13 April 1320 of natural causes; body incorrupt
Beatified ~ 19 October 1609 by Pope Paul V
Canonization ~ pending
Margaret was born in Italy to rich and well-known parents in the year 1287. Her parents were so happy to be having a baby that they spread the news far and wide. However, their joy turned to sorrow when their little girl was born. She was deformed and blind, with a bent body and an ugly face. When her father found out about this he ordered the infant to be kept out of sight. He was embarrassed by Margaret's appearance and never spoke a word about her to anyone.
When she was five years old, Margaret was sent away from the family castle and locked up in a little room near a church. She lived there for 12 years all by herself with only a few short visits from her mother. When she was 17 years of age her parents brought her to a shrine in Castello, Italy, hoping that God would cure her there. When a miracle failed to take place she was cruelly abandoned by her mother and father while she was reciting her prayers before the altar. Luckily, the local villagers felt sorry for the poor girl. They took her into their homes and made her feel welcome for the first time in her short life.
Enough though Margaret had many bodily problems she was very smart and very holy. She had deep faith, hope, and love for God. Never once did she speak an unkind word about the parents who had abandoned her. Instead Margaret looked at the bright side of things and always tried to make life a bit happier for those around her. She had a great love for the Holy Eucharist and a special devotion to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
When she was a teenager Margaret joined the Third Order of St. Dominic. She was the very first unmarried woman to belong to this lay community. Dressed in the white Dominican robes, Margaret hobbled about the village caring for the sick, visiting prisoners, and helping everyone in need. God blessed her with the gift of working miracles which she used to help those who were suffering and dying. Margaret even started a day-care center at her home for the local children where she taught them catechism and had lots of fun playing games.
Margaret died at 33 years of age in the year 1320. The girl nobody wanted at first, had been adopted by a whole town and was sadly missed by everyone in it. They buried her with great honors in the church where she had been abandoned sixteen years earlier. So many miracles took place at her tomb that the Pope declared her Blessed.
Her incorrupt body lies under the main altar in St. Dominic Church, Castello, Italy.
♥ Patronage ♥
against poverty; disabled people; handicapped people; impoverishment; people rejected by religious orders; physically challenged people; poverty; Right To Life groups
†Prayers†
Compassionate God, you gave your divine light to Blessed Margaret who was blind from birth, that with the eye of her heart she might contemplate you alone. Be the light of our eyes that we may turn from what is evil and reach the home of never-ending light. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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