St. Margaret of Cortona Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Margaret of Cortona lived in the 1200s in Italy. She was a penitent after living a sinful life. She eventually chose to live a life of penance as a member of the Third Order of St. Francis.
St. Margaret of Cortona became a very holy woman despite her past. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this penitential saint in your life!
About St. Margaret of Cortona
St. Margaret of Cortona was born around the year 1247 in a small Italian town called Laviano. At age seven, Margaret suffered the death of her mother.
Before long, Margaret’s father remarried. Margaret did not get along well with her new stepmother, and her new stepmother was not fond of Margaret.
During her teenage years, Margaret grew to be very willful. She gained a reputation for being reckless. When she was seventeen years old, she met a nobleman and decided to run away with him.
The nobleman did not marry Margaret but instead installed her in his castle as his mistress. She lived with this nobleman for ten years. The two of them had one son.
One day, the nobleman did not return from a journey at the time he was expected to return. When his dog returned home without him, Margaret became very worried. The dog led her to the forest, where she discovered the dead body of her lover. She saw that he had been murdered.
The murder of her lover greatly affected Margaret. She became repentant for her lifestyle and chose to leave the nobleman’s home. Margaret took her son with her and attempted to return to her father’s house. However, Margaret’s stepmother would not admit her into their home.
Margaret and her son then went to the Franciscan friars in Cortona. There, she lived a life of penance. She fasted on bread and vegetables, and she devoted herself to prayer. Her son eventually became a friar himself, and Margaret joined the Third Order of St. Francis. She soon began to advance in her life of prayer.
Margaret developed a devotion to both the Eucharist and to Jesus’ Passion, and these devotions helped her to grow in charity. She imitated St. Francis of Assissi by begging for her food and serving the poor. She established a hospital for the poor as well. She also established a group of Third Order sisters to serve as nurses at this hospital.
Later, she established an order of people to serve the needy and support the hospital. The members of this order were devoted to Our Lady of Mercy.
In addition, Margaret worked to bring about needed reform in the Church, challenging her bishop who was living a very worldly life.
Margaret died in 1297. After four hundred years, her body was found to be incorrupt. She was canonized in 1728 by Pope Benedict XIII.
St. Margaret of Cortona’s Feast Day: February 22nd
Why Pray the St. Margaret of Cortona Novena?
St. Margaret of Cortona is the patron saint of single mothers. You can seek her intercession if you are a single mother. You can also ask her to pray for someone you know who is a single mother.
St. Margaret of Cortona is also the patron saint of mentally ill people and mental illness. You can pray this novena if you or someone you know is struggling with a mental illness.
Additionally, St. Margaret of Cortona is the patron saint against sexual temptation. You can ask her to pray for you if you’re struggling with sexual temptation, or you can ask her to pray for someone you know who is struggling with these temptations.
You can pray the St. Margaret of Cortona Novena for any intention!
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena Prayers
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Cortona as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate her example of conversion and repentance in our own lives.
St. Margaret, you suffered in your childhood because your mother died when you were a child. Your early life was very difficult, but you eventually overcame your life of sin and chose to serve God.
Please bring my petitions before God, Whom you chose to serve!
It was not easy for you to reform your life and become holy, but you persevered despite your many sufferings.
Pray for me, that I may do all I can to serve God worthily in my life. Pray that I may never allow any sufferings or trials to keep from holiness.
And I especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Cortona as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate her example of conversion and repentance in our own lives.
St. Margaret, your early family life was full of difficulty. The loss of your mother and the lack of affection from your stepmother contributed to you choosing to live in sin away from your family. But you overcame this life of sin and devoted your life to God.
Please bring my petitions before God, Whom you loved with such devotion!
You had a child of your own out of wedlock. Despite your sins and sufferings, you were able to raise your son in the faith.
Pray for me, that I may always answer God’s call to serve Him in my life. Pray that I may persevere in seeking holiness no matter what difficulties I might face.
And I especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Cortona as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate her example of conversion and repentance in our own lives.
St. Margaret, you ran from the unloving home of your family when you were a young woman. You chose to live with a nobleman who would not marry you, and you bore him a child. Despite your lifestyle of sin, you chose to repent and to pursue a life of holiness.
Please bring my petitions before God, Whom you chose to serve!
The murder of your lover opened your eyes to the mistakes you had made in your life. You repented and immediately began to reform your life.
Pray for me, that I may never become complacent with my failings. Pray that I may strive for holiness each day.
And I especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Cortona as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate her example of conversion and repentance in our own lives.
St. Margaret, the murder of your lover showed you the error of your ways. You repented of your sinful lifestyle and chose to devote yourself to God. You continued to live as a chaste and holy woman for the rest of your life.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
Your life after your conversion was filled with holy works and acts of penitence. You persevered in pursuit of holiness for many years.
Pray for me, that I may hold fast to all of my resolutions for holiness. Pray that I may persevere in seeking to serve God each day of my life.
And I especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Cortona as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate her example of conversion and repentance in our own lives.
St. Margaret, you chose to live as a man’s mistress for a time during your early life. But after your lover was murdered, you repented of your sins and chose to pursue virtue out of love for God.
Please bring my petitions before God, Whom you loved!
The life of penance and holiness you chose to live was not easy. But you did not waver in your commitment to reforming your life.
Pray for me, that I may strive to grow in all virtues necessary for holiness. Pray that I may grow in devotion each day of my life.
And I especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Cortona as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate her example of conversion and repentance in our own lives.
St. Margaret, you chose to reform your life after your lover was murdered. You tried to return to the home of your father, but your stepmother refused to forgive you and admit you to their home. Despite this ill treatment, you persevered in seeking holiness.
Please persevere in bringing my petitions before the throne of God!
You committed yourself to a life of prayer and penance. Despite your past, you were able to rise to great holiness.
Pray for me, that I may never allow past sins or hurts to deter me from seeking holiness. Pray that I may persevere in my faith through all difficulties.
And I especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Cortona as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate her example of conversion and repentance in our own lives.
St. Margaret, you chose to leave behind your old life of sin after your lover was murdered. You did not find welcome in the home of your father and stepmother. Some Franciscan friars welcomed you, allowing you to fully enter into a life of holy service.
Please bring my petitions before God, Whom you chose to serve!
You spent the rest of your life performing acts of penance and charity. You achieved great holiness despite your past sins and sufferings.
Pray for me, that I may never allow any difficulties to deter me from pursuing virtue. Pray that I may grow in love for God each day.
And I especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Cortona as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate her example of conversion and repentance in our own lives.
St. Margaret, you found sanctuary with a group of Franciscan friars after your father and stepmother refused to admit you to their home. In your new life of penitence, you devoted yourself to acts of holy service out of love for God.
Please continue to bring my petitions before God, Whom you loved so dearly!
You imitated St. Francis of Assisi by begging for food and serving the poor. You established a hospital for the poor and did so much good as you cared for the poor.
Pray for me, that I may always take every opportunity to serve God through service to my neighbor. Pray that I may answer God’s call to serve Him in whatever ways He calls me to.
And I especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Cortona as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate her example of conversion and repentance in our own lives.
St. Margaret of Cortona, you repented of a sinful life and chose to serve God wholeheartedly as a Third Order Franciscan. You devoted yourself to serving God for the rest of your life.
Please bring my petitions before God, Whom you served with such devotion!
As you carried out acts of penance and charity, you also worked to serve the Church. You challenged your worldly bishop and did what you could to bring him to deeper holiness.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to serve God and His Church in my life. Pray that I may never waver in my commitment to God.
And I especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.