About St. Margaret Cortona
St. Margaret of Cortona (1247–1297) – the ‘Second Magdalene’ of the Franciscans.
Born in a poor farming family in Tuscany, Italy, she lost her mother at age 7 and faced hardship with a harsh stepmother. In her youth, she ran away to live in sin with a nobleman, bearing a son out of wedlock. After 9 years, tragedy struck: her lover was murdered, shocking her into deep repentance. Rejected by her family, she sought refuge with the Franciscan friars in Cortona. There, under their guidance, she became a Third Order Franciscan tertiary in 1277. She lived a life of intense prayer, severe penance, and heroic charity — nursing the sick, founding a hospital, and establishing the ‘Poverelle’ (Poor Ones), a group of women dedicated to serving the needy. Despite temptations and false accusations, she grew in mystical union with Christ, receiving messages of mercy and offering spiritual guidance to many. She died on February 22, 1297 (her feast day), after 29 years of penance. Canonized in 1728, she’s the patron of penitents, single mothers, the falsely accused, and those battling sexual temptation. Her story reminds us: No sin is too great for God’s mercy. Through radical conversion and love for the Eucharist & Passion, she became a beacon of hope. Pray with her: ‘Lord, let me love You as You deserve!’
Who was St. Margaret of Cortona?
St. Margaret of Cortona was a thirteenth-century Franciscan tertiary whose dramatic conversion from a sinful life to one of holiness made her one of the Church’s greatest examples of repentance, mercy, and God’s transforming grace.
What is St. Margaret of Cortona the patron saint of?
St. Margaret of Cortona is the patron saint of:
- The homeless
- Single mothers
- Midwives
- People struggling with addiction
- Those seeking repentance and conversion
- The falsely accused
What is the St. Margaret of Cortona Novena for?
The St. Margaret of Cortona Novena is prayed to ask for:
- Conversion of heart
- Repentance from sin
- Freedom from temptation
- Healing from past mistakes
- Growth in holiness
- Trust in God’s mercy
- Special personal intentions
When should I pray the St. Margaret of Cortona Novena?
You may pray the novena at any time during the year. Many Catholics begin it on February 13, concluding on her feast day, February 22.
How do you pray the St. Margaret of Cortona Novena?
Pray the novena prayer each day for nine consecutive days. After presenting your personal intention, conclude with:
- Pray One: Our Father…
- Pray One: Hail Mary…
- Pray One: Glory Be…
Why is St. Margaret of Cortona known as the “Magdalen of the Franciscans”?
St. Margaret earned this title because her profound conversion and life of penance resemble that of St. Mary Magdalene. Like Mary Magdalene, she became a faithful disciple of Christ and a powerful witness to God’s mercy.
What can we learn from St. Margaret of Cortona?
St. Margaret teaches us that no sin is greater than God’s mercy. Her life encourages us to repent sincerely, trust in Christ’s forgiveness, persevere in prayer, practice charity, and seek holiness each day.
Did St. Margaret of Cortona receive mystical graces?
Yes. During her years of prayer and penance, St. Margaret experienced mystical visions and profound spiritual consolations. These experiences deepened her love for Christ and strengthened her mission of calling sinners back to God.
When is the feast day of St. Margaret of Cortona?
The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Margaret of Cortona each year on February 22.
| Novena Begins: | February 13 |
| Feast Day: | February 22 |
Patron Saint of against temptations, falsely accused people, homeless
Day 1 – St. Margaret of Cortona Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret of Cortona, after turning away from a life of sin, you embraced a life of penance, poverty, and complete devotion to Jesus Christ. Touched by His infinite mercy, you dedicated yourself to prayer, fasting, and works of charity, becoming a shining example of true repentance and conversion.
Through your faithful perseverance, the Lord revealed to you the depth of His merciful Heart, rejoicing whenever a sinner returns to Him with sincere repentance.
By your discipline and trust in God’s grace, you overcame temptation and grew in holiness. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to turn away from sin, resist temptation, and remain faithful to Christ in all things.
Hear our prayers and present our petitions to our loving Savior, that His holy will may be accomplished in our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. Margaret of Cortona Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret of Cortona, after turning away from a life of sin, you embraced a life of penance, poverty, and complete devotion to Jesus Christ. Touched by His infinite mercy, you dedicated yourself to prayer, fasting, and works of charity, becoming a shining example of true repentance and conversion.
Through your faithful perseverance, the Lord revealed to you the depth of His merciful Heart, rejoicing whenever a sinner returns to Him with sincere repentance.
By your discipline and trust in God’s grace, you overcame temptation and grew in holiness. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to turn away from sin, resist temptation, and remain faithful to Christ in all things.
Hear our prayers and present our petitions to our loving Savior, that His holy will may be accomplished in our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. Margaret of Cortona Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret of Cortona, after turning away from a life of sin, you embraced a life of penance, poverty, and complete devotion to Jesus Christ. Touched by His infinite mercy, you dedicated yourself to prayer, fasting, and works of charity, becoming a shining example of true repentance and conversion.
Through your faithful perseverance, the Lord revealed to you the depth of His merciful Heart, rejoicing whenever a sinner returns to Him with sincere repentance.
By your discipline and trust in God’s grace, you overcame temptation and grew in holiness. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to turn away from sin, resist temptation, and remain faithful to Christ in all things.
Hear our prayers and present our petitions to our loving Savior, that His holy will may be accomplished in our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. Margaret of Cortona Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret of Cortona, after turning away from a life of sin, you embraced a life of penance, poverty, and complete devotion to Jesus Christ. Touched by His infinite mercy, you dedicated yourself to prayer, fasting, and works of charity, becoming a shining example of true repentance and conversion.
Through your faithful perseverance, the Lord revealed to you the depth of His merciful Heart, rejoicing whenever a sinner returns to Him with sincere repentance.
By your discipline and trust in God’s grace, you overcame temptation and grew in holiness. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to turn away from sin, resist temptation, and remain faithful to Christ in all things.
Hear our prayers and present our petitions to our loving Savior, that His holy will may be accomplished in our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. Margaret of Cortona Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret of Cortona, after turning away from a life of sin, you embraced a life of penance, poverty, and complete devotion to Jesus Christ. Touched by His infinite mercy, you dedicated yourself to prayer, fasting, and works of charity, becoming a shining example of true repentance and conversion.
Through your faithful perseverance, the Lord revealed to you the depth of His merciful Heart, rejoicing whenever a sinner returns to Him with sincere repentance.
By your discipline and trust in God’s grace, you overcame temptation and grew in holiness. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to turn away from sin, resist temptation, and remain faithful to Christ in all things.
Hear our prayers and present our petitions to our loving Savior, that His holy will may be accomplished in our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. Margaret of Cortona Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret of Cortona, after turning away from a life of sin, you embraced a life of penance, poverty, and complete devotion to Jesus Christ. Touched by His infinite mercy, you dedicated yourself to prayer, fasting, and works of charity, becoming a shining example of true repentance and conversion.
Through your faithful perseverance, the Lord revealed to you the depth of His merciful Heart, rejoicing whenever a sinner returns to Him with sincere repentance.
By your discipline and trust in God’s grace, you overcame temptation and grew in holiness. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to turn away from sin, resist temptation, and remain faithful to Christ in all things.
Hear our prayers and present our petitions to our loving Savior, that His holy will may be accomplished in our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. Margaret of Cortona Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret of Cortona, after turning away from a life of sin, you embraced a life of penance, poverty, and complete devotion to Jesus Christ. Touched by His infinite mercy, you dedicated yourself to prayer, fasting, and works of charity, becoming a shining example of true repentance and conversion.
Through your faithful perseverance, the Lord revealed to you the depth of His merciful Heart, rejoicing whenever a sinner returns to Him with sincere repentance.
By your discipline and trust in God’s grace, you overcame temptation and grew in holiness. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to turn away from sin, resist temptation, and remain faithful to Christ in all things.
Hear our prayers and present our petitions to our loving Savior, that His holy will may be accomplished in our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. Margaret of Cortona Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret of Cortona, after turning away from a life of sin, you embraced a life of penance, poverty, and complete devotion to Jesus Christ. Touched by His infinite mercy, you dedicated yourself to prayer, fasting, and works of charity, becoming a shining example of true repentance and conversion.
Through your faithful perseverance, the Lord revealed to you the depth of His merciful Heart, rejoicing whenever a sinner returns to Him with sincere repentance.
By your discipline and trust in God’s grace, you overcame temptation and grew in holiness. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to turn away from sin, resist temptation, and remain faithful to Christ in all things.
Hear our prayers and present our petitions to our loving Savior, that His holy will may be accomplished in our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. Margaret of Cortona Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret of Cortona, after turning away from a life of sin, you embraced a life of penance, poverty, and complete devotion to Jesus Christ. Touched by His infinite mercy, you dedicated yourself to prayer, fasting, and works of charity, becoming a shining example of true repentance and conversion.
Through your faithful perseverance, the Lord revealed to you the depth of His merciful Heart, rejoicing whenever a sinner returns to Him with sincere repentance.
By your discipline and trust in God’s grace, you overcame temptation and grew in holiness. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to turn away from sin, resist temptation, and remain faithful to Christ in all things.
Hear our prayers and present our petitions to our loving Savior, that His holy will may be accomplished in our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…