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| Santa Margherita da Cortona, ora pro nobis |
In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to St. Margaret of Cortona by Pope John Paul II (1999). The photo of St. Margaret of Cortona (c. 1758) by Gaspare Traversi was taken at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. The masterpiece depicts the great Saint in the habit of a Franciscan Tertiary gazing at an angel holding a crown of thorns. Her illegitimate son, playing with a dog at her feet, represents her former sins. The dog, which is her attribute, is said to have led her to the body of her murdered lover in a forest. In the background, the Devil returns to the pit dejected, failing to tempt the penitent to return to her sinful life. Evviva Santa Margherita!
Prayer to St. Margaret of Cortona
O St. Margaret of Cortona, I pray with you at the feet of Christ Crucified and Risen...Lord Jesus, crucified for us, in offering yourself on Calvary for all humanity, you have revealed to us the wellsprings of everlasting life. May the mystery of your Passion enlighten our life making us ready to follow you on the way of holiness and love. Rekindle our faith; teach us to recognize and welcome in our everyday life the plans of your mysterious Providence. Give us the courage to confess our sins and open our hearts to sorrow, in order to receive the gift of your mercy. Empower us to forgive our brethren following the example of your love that knows no bonds... glorious St. Margaret of Cortona, present this request to our Crucified Lord...Guide us with the strength of your example, support us with your constant protection, be our companion we beg you, till we reach our Father's house. Amen.
