Blessed Margaret of Ravenna
Blessed Margaret of Ravenna (Italian: Margherita da Ravenna; born 1442 AD in Russi, near Ravenna, Italy; died January 23, 1505 AD in Ravenna, Italy) was an Italian laywoman, blind from infancy, who became a noted spiritual guide and the inspirer of a confraternity devoted to the love of God. She is venerated as a Blessed of the Church. Her feast day is January 23.
Though blind and of humble station, Margaret of Ravenna was sought out for her wisdom and holiness and gathered around her a company of devout persons—the "Good Jesus" confraternity—whom she formed in the spiritual life. Her cult was confirmed in the nineteenth century.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Margaret of Ravenna
| Blessed Margaret of Ravenna | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | January 23 |
| Profession | Laywoman; mystic; spiritual guide |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; lay confraternity of the "Good Jesus" |
| Patronage | The blind; the city of Ravenna; those who seek spiritual direction |
| Attributes | Blindness; laywoman's dress; teaching and consoling |
| Birthplace | Russi, near Ravenna, Italy |
| Death Place | Ravenna, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; blind laywoman, mystic, and spiritual guide of Ravenna |
| Primary Shrine | Ravenna, Italy |
Biography
Margaret was born in 1442 at Russi, near Ravenna, in Italy. Blind from infancy, and of humble condition, she might have seemed destined for an obscure and dependent life. But she was gifted with deep faith, keen intelligence, and an extraordinary capacity for prayer and for guiding others in the ways of God.
Though a laywoman without formal learning, she came to be esteemed as a spiritual mother and counselor. People of every rank sought her out for advice and consolation, and she formed a circle of devout followers whom she directed in the love and service of God. From this grew a confraternity—known as the confraternity of the "Good Jesus" (Buon Gesù)—dedicated to fostering the interior life and devotion among its members.
Her teaching, transmitted through her disciples (notably her secretary), emphasized humility, trust in God, and the love of Christ. She bore her blindness and other sufferings with patience and joy, and was credited with mystical graces.
Margaret of Ravenna died at Ravenna on January 23, 1505. She was venerated as a Blessed, and her cult was confirmed in 1854 by Pope Pius IX. Her feast is kept on January 23.
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Feast day
January 23
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