Saint Margaret of Cortona

Margaret of Cortona (1247 – 22 February 1297) was an Italian penitent of the Third Order of Saint Francis. She was born in Laviano, near Perugia, and died in Cortona. She was canonised in 1728. She is the patroness saint of reformed prostitutes; the falsely accused, hoboes, homeless, insane, orphaned, mentally ill, midwives, penitents, single mothers, stepchildren, and tramps. Margaret was born of farming parents in Laviano, a small village nestled in the rolling hills of Castiglione del Lago, in the diocese of Chiusi, and about halfway between Montepulciano and Cortona. When she was seven, Margaret's mother died and her father remarried. Margaret and her stepmother grew to dislike each other. As she grew older, Margaret became more wilful and reckless, and her reputation in the village suffered. At age 17 she was seduced by a young knight and ran away with him. According to some accounts, he was the son of Gugliemo di Pecora, lord of Valiano, 16 km away (10 mi), not far from Montepulciano. Soon Margaret found herself installed in the castle (integral to the present town), not as wife but as mistress; less defiant of convention. She lived with him for nine years, bearing him a son. One day, when the young gentleman failed to return home from visiting one of his estates, Margaret became concerned. More alarming was the arrival at the castle of his favourite hound. It led her into the forest to his murdered body. Shaken by this crime, Margaret took to prayer and penance. Giving up all her worldly goods, restoring that due to the knight's family, she left his home. Arrived at her father's house with the boy, she begged forgiveness. However, at her stepmother's insistence, he would not have her. Margaret sought help from Franciscan friars at Cortona, 20 km away (12 mi). Shelter for them both was found in the home of two ladies, Marinana and Raneria. Her son went to school in Arezzo. In due course, he was himself to become a Franciscan friar.