Repentance of St. Margaret of Cortona – May 16 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on May 16, 2023, on the life of St. Margaret of Cortona and how her life of repentance gives us hope for our perseverance.

St. Margaret of Cortona, born in 1247, lived in an era rich with Franciscan spirit. After her mother's death and a decade of mistreatment by her stepmother, she sought love and ended up in a sinful relationship with a nobleman, Arsenio. Despite living luxuriously and having a son, she yearned for a legitimate marriage and religious life, but lacked the will to leave Arsenio. However, his sudden murder forced her to confront her sinful lifestyle and, like the prodigal son, she sought forgiveness from her family and God.

Denied by her stepmother once more, Margaret sought refuge in Cortona. She resisted temptations to return to her sinful life and was inspired to approach the Franciscans. Two devout women took her in, and she confessed her sins to the Franciscan friar, Junta, her future spiritual director.

Margaret spent three years proving her commitment to a virtuous life before becoming a Franciscan tertiary. She dedicated her time to charity, especially the sick, and deepened her relationship with God. Despite diabolical attempts to lead her astray, she found lasting love in God.

Embodying Franciscan principles of prayer, penance, and devotion to Christ, Margaret brought peace to Cortona, a city divided by political factions. She spent her final years as a recluse, passing away in 1297. Posthumously honored as the third light of the Seraphic Order, her penance was seen as a purifying force that earned her a place among the virgins despite her past. In 1728, she was canonized. St. Margaret's story reminds us that sincere penance can purify us from our sins and lead us back to God.

00:00 – Introduction
00:08 – Early Life of St. Margaret of Cortona
01:35 – Life with Arsenio
02:33 – Arsenio's Mysterious Death and Margaret's Transformation
04:00 – Temptations and Decision to join the Franciscans
05:03 – Margaret's Penances, Charity Work, and Spiritual Experiences
06:37 – Margaret's Franciscan Spirituality
07:08 – Her Last Years, Achievements, and Death
07:57 – St. Margaret's Legacy

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Margaret of Cortona - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=234
Readings: Tuesday 6th Week of Easter (Opt 2) - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/051623.cfm
1st: rom 12:9-16
Resp: isa 12:2-6
Gsp: luk 1:39-56

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=646&r=1722

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