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 …More