Saint Margaret of Cortona
Saint Margaret of Cortona (also known as Margherita da Cortona), O.F.M. Pen., was an Italian penitent and Franciscan tertiary who lived in the 13th century. According to the earliest sources—the Vita Sanctae Margaritae de Cortona written by her confessor, Fra Giunta Bevegnati (completed shortly after her death in 1297), and the records of the Franciscan Order—she was born around 1247 in Laviano, a small village near Perugia in Umbria, Italy, into a poor farming family. Her mother died when she was young, and she was raised by a stepmother who treated her harshly.
Historical evidence from Bevegnati’s Vita and later Franciscan chronicles indicates that as a young woman Margaret fell into a life of sin, becoming the mistress of a nobleman from Montepulciano. After living with him for nine years and bearing a son, the nobleman was murdered (around 1270–1272). Stricken with remorse and fearing for her life and that of her child, she returned to her father’s house in Laviano, but was rejected by her stepmother. She then went to Cortona, where she sought forgiveness and began a life of severe penance.
According to the Vita (a primary source written by her confessor, who knew her personally), she was received into the Franciscan Third Order in Cortona around 1277 after persistent requests to the friars. She lived in extreme austerity—wearing coarse garments, fasting rigorously, sleeping on the bare ground, and devoting herself to prayer, manual work, and care for the sick and poor. She founded a hospital for the sick and pilgrims in Cortona and helped reconcile feuding families during a time of civic strife. Her confessor records numerous mystical experiences, including visions of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Francis, as well as her intense sorrow for sin and desire to make reparation.
She died on February 22, 1297, in Cortona at approximately age 50. According to the Vita and contemporary testimonies, her body was found incorrupt when exhumed in 1306, and numerous miracles were reported at her tomb. Her cult developed rapidly in Cortona and among the Franciscans. Pope Urban VIII confirmed her cult in 1625 (equipollent beatification through longstanding veneration), and she was formally canonized by Pope Benedict XIII on May 16, 1728. As of March 13, 2026, her feast is celebrated on February 22 in the General Roman Calendar (though sometimes moved locally to avoid Lent conflicts) and in the Franciscan liturgical calendar.
She is the patron saint of the city of Cortona, repentant women, single mothers, those who have lost parents, the falsely accused, and people suffering from sexual temptation or addiction (popular devotion). This reflects established Catholic tradition and primary sources (Bevegnati’s Vita, Franciscan records, Vatican canonization acts), but some details of her visions and daily penance derive from hagiographic accounts rather than strictly verifiable contemporary documents.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Margaret of Cortona
| Saint Margaret of Cortona | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | February 22 |
| Profession | Penitent, Franciscan tertiary, hospital foundress |
| Rel. Affiliation | Third Order of Saint Francis (Secular Franciscan) |
| Patronage | Cortona; repentant women; single mothers; those who have lost parents; the falsely accused; sexual temptation/addiction sufferers |
| Attributes | Franciscan tertiary habit, skull (penance), dog (legendary companion), symbols of charity |
| Birthplace | Laviano, near Perugia, Umbria, Italy |
| Death Place | Cortona, Tuscany, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (illness following lifelong austerity) |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Santa Margherita, Cortona, Italy (tomb and relics) |
Biography
Birth
According to the Vita by Fra Giunta Bevegnati (her confessor) and Franciscan records, Saint Margaret of Cortona was born around 1247 in Laviano, a village near Perugia, Umbria, Italy, into a poor peasant family. Evidence suggests her early life was marked by hardship after her mother’s death and mistreatment by her stepmother.
Early Life
As a young woman Margaret lived in concubinage with a nobleman from Montepulciano for nine years, bearing a son. Historical accounts confirm the nobleman’s murder (c. 1270–1272) led to her conversion.
Occupation
After returning to Laviano and being rejected, she moved to Cortona, where she worked as a servant and began a life of penance. She joined the Third Order of Saint Francis around 1277.
Vocation
Margaret’s vocation was one of radical repentance, voluntary poverty, and service to the poor and sick. She founded a hospital in Cortona and cared for the marginalized. Hagiographic tradition holds her as a model of conversion and reparation, though some mystical experiences reflect pious accounts.
Death
Saint Margaret of Cortona met her end on February 22, 1297, in Cortona after years of severe penance. According to the Vita, her body was found incorrupt when exhumed in 1306.
Significant events
• Born c. 1247 in Laviano. • Lived in concubinage with nobleman (c. 1260s). • Nobleman murdered; conversion and return to Laviano (c. 1270–1272). • Moved to Cortona; joined Third Order of Saint Francis (c. 1277). • Founded hospital for the poor (late 13th century). • Died February 22, 1297. • Body found incorrupt (1306). • Cult confirmed by Pope Urban VIII (1625). • Canonized by Pope Benedict XIII (May 16, 1728).
==Significant locations==
Legend
Birth location: Laviano, near Perugia, Umbria, Italy
Death location: Cortona, Tuscany, Italy
Notable location: Main place of penance, Third Order membership, and burial (Cortona, Tuscany, Italy)
Notable location: Birthplace and early life (Laviano, near Perugia, Italy)
Notable location: Founder of hospital for the poor and sick (Hospital of the Misericordia, Cortona)
Notable location:
Notable location:
Dynamic content
Parishes
| Saint Margaret of Cortona |
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| This map created from a Cargo query () |
| Parish | Diocese | City | AdministrativeSubdivision | Country | ParishWebsite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parish | Diocese | City | AdministrativeSubdivision | Country | ParishWebsite |
| St. Margaret of Cortona (Diocese of Albany) | Diocese of Albany | Rotterdam Junction, NY | New York | United States | https://www.stmargaretofcortona.org/ |
===Media===
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| May 16 Saint Margaret of Cortona A | Under 5 minutes | Breski1 |
| May 16 Saint Margaret of Cortona | Under 5 minutes | Breski1 |
| Story of Saint Margaret of Cortona | Stories of Saints | Episode 159 | 5–15 minutes | Christian Family TV |
| The Life of Saint Margaret of Cortona | 5–15 minutes | Daily Lives of Franciscan Saints |
| May 16 - St. Margaret of Cortona - Franciscan St. of the Day | 5–15 minutes | Franciscan Media |
| The Life of Saint Margaret of Cortona | 5–15 minutes | Radio Immaculata |
| The Life Of St. Margaret Of Cortona | From Sin Of Sainthood #saints#history #catholichistory#saint | Under 5 minutes | Saints Stories |
| The Saint with a Past – St. Margaret of Cortona | Under 5 minutes | The Story of the Saints |
Shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
List of shrines
Basilica of Santa Margherita, Cortona
• The basilica in Cortona, Italy, built over her tomb and the principal site of veneration. Designated by the diocese as a center for pilgrimage, Masses, and devotion, it qualifies under Canon 1230. • Pilgrimage details: Cortona; Diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro. • Fact: Houses her incorrupt body and is the focal point of her cult.
Canonization
Cult confirmed by Pope Urban VIII (1625). Canonized by Pope Benedict XIII on May 16, 1728.
Miracles
According to the Vita and canonization tradition, her body remained incorrupt, and numerous miracles were reported at her tomb.
Patronage
Saint Margaret of Cortona is the patroness of Cortona, repentant women, single mothers, those who have lost parents, the falsely accused, and sufferers from sexual temptation or addiction (popular devotion).
Feast day
February 22
Veneration
Saint Margaret of Cortona is venerated through her feast on February 22 in the General Roman Calendar, pilgrimages to the Basilica of Santa Margherita in Cortona, and devotion to her example of repentance and charity. Her incorrupt body is preserved and venerated in Cortona. She has been depicted in art as a penitent Franciscan tertiary, often with a skull (symbol of penance) or dog (legendary companion).
Books
Written about the saint
• Fra Giunta Bevegnati, Vita Sanctae Margaritae de Cortona (c. 1297–1300). • Entries in Butler’s Lives of the Saints (February 22). • Catholic Encyclopedia (1913 entry on St. Margaret of Cortona).
Written by the saint
None known.
External links
• Margaret of Cortona - Wikipedia • St. Margaret of Cortona - Catholic Encyclopedia • Franciscan Media entry