SHRINE of Saint Margaret of Castello 

St. Margaret of Castello
Member of the Dominican Third Order
(1287-1320)

St. Margaret of Castello was born in the mountain castle of Metola, near Florence, Italy, of a wealthy, noble family.  This sounds like a fortunate beginning, but from birth, she was hunchbacked, dwarfed, blind, and lame.  In addition, she didn’t possess much beauty.  People said it would be a blessing were she to die.  Yet, in God’s Providence, Margaret did not die in spite of her poor health and the neglect of her parents.

Her parents made every effort to keep her hidden from the world, as though there were some special brand of shame in having an imperfect child.  Only a few confidential servants had any contact with the little girl.  But the family chaplain took an interest in the strange child and taught her about God, His goodness, His love, and why He created people.  He explained how an infinitely loving God always has a purpose in what He permits, and thus the priest taught Margaret how to sanctify her afflictions and use them as stepping stones to heaven.   With such a realistic foundation in spirituality, little Margaret had no incentive to indulge in bitterness, no room for self-pity.

As it became increasingly difficult to keep their secret, Margaret’s parents imprisoned her in a tiny cell attached to a church in the forest like an anchoress of old.  The little girl was six when this melodramatic incarceration was inflicted on her, and there she remained for nine years.  She was visited only by the priest and a servant or two who brought her food.  A person suffering this treatment would either become a saint or become completely deranged.  And God’s grace was with Margaret for she never complained.

When she was fifteen, Metola was threatened with attack, and the girl’s father brought her home and locked her in the cellar.  The thought of how the Child Jesus obeyed Mary and Joseph sustained her during these trying years.  She obeyed her parents who had inflicted these cruelties, because they stood for her in the place of God.

The next year, Margaret was taken to the shrine of a Franciscan saint in Castello.  The parents seemed to have a very selfish design in this move.  If her health and beauty were restored or given to her, they would accept her.  If not, they had other plans.  She was not cured, so the parents abandoned her in the church where she was praying and hastened home.

Margaret was penniless, alone, helpless in a strange city.  Worst of all, she now knew the hatred and shame her parents felt for her.  Yet she never stopped loving them.  Margaret saw in her new afflictions more ways of imitating the Suffering Christ.  He too, during His public life, had no place to lay his head, had to depend on the charity of others, was betrayed by one Apostle, deserted by the others.  She would imitate Him carrying her cross.

Despite her twisted body and her awareness of her ugliness, during her short life as a beggar, people found Margaret cheerful, deeply religious, full of sympathy for the suffering of others.  She was truly happy, and her many virtues shone out.  A community of cloistered nuns finally received her and gave her their habit.  But these nuns lived their religious life carelessly, giving God a half-hearted service.  When Margaret lived the Rule to the letter, the nuns at first rebuked her (after all, she was a living reproach to them) and then expelled her.  Once again, she was a homeless beggar.  Worse still, the relatives of the nuns spread lies about her, saying she had been put out of the monastery because she was obstinate, disobedient, and dictatorial, telling the older sisters how to live.

Some of Margaret’s friends turned against her; others believing the lies, jeered at her.  Everywhere she was insulted.  “There goes our little saint.”  “Look at the ex-nun.”  The children shouted cruel names after her.  For months the persecution went on, and only the thought of our Lord upheld her.  “Learn of Me, for I am meek and humble of heart.”  By accepting these insults, she, too, would make reparation for sin and work for the salvation of souls.

Then came a great joy.  The Dominican Tertiaries of Castello (lay people who wore the habit of the Third Order and lived according to the Dominican ideal) accepted her as a member and were happy to have so holy a sister.  Once again, Margaret was consecrated to God, now in the habit of St. Dominic.

The hidden source of Margaret’s strength during all these years was her spiritual life.  Love for the Holy Mass (she heard three or four a day) and for the Blessed Sacrament were the heart of her devotion.  Her errands of mercy brought her to every church in the city.  However busy, Margaret never passed a church without a visit to her Eucharistic Lord.  Often, she stayed for hours before Him.  Frequent Confession, too, brought her greater grace and union with Jesus.  Constantly, she thought of the sufferings and death of Christ, the Man of Sorrows.  As a reward for her love, God permitted her to see with eyes of the spirit the Incarnate Son of God daily on the altar from the Consecration to the Communion of the Mass.  Holy Communion gave her serenity, cheerfulness of soul, and strength to bear her many sufferings. 

Devotion to the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and St. Dominic completed Margaret’s spiritual life.  Their example taught her to work for the poor and the afflicted.  She bore the burdens of so many, sympathized with the afflicted to such a degree that there was little time to think of herself.  It seemed as though she hardly felt her own pain.  She visited prisoners, washed the sores their chains had made, brought them food, clothing, and medicine.  Often, she stayed up all night to help the sick and comfort the dying.  And many times, there was a cure at the touch of her hand.

Margaret’s life of suffering, prayer, and charity ended on April 13, 1320.  She was just thirty-three years old.  Her tired, wasted, little body could no longer endure the intensity of divine love, could no longer hold back a soul that so ardently sought union with God.  Margaret died of love.

During her funeral, there began the long series of favors which Margaret has obtained for those who sought her help.  A crippled child who was also a deaf mute was cured when her coffin was carried by.  Diseases of body, mind, and soul have yielded to her powerful intercession.  Even today, her shrine, where her incorrupt body may be seen within the glass-fronted tomb, is the scene of many favors.  Even in heaven, Margaret is still drawn to the sick, the suffering, and the afflicted.

Lord, have mercy.                                                                            Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.                                                                          Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.                                                                            Lord, have mercy.
               
Christ, hear us.                                                                                Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.                                                               Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven,                                                               have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,

Holy Mary,                                                                                         pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary,

St. Margaret of Castello,                                                                    pray for us.
St. Margaret of Metola,                                                                                             
St. Margaret, spouse of the Lord Jesus,
St. Margaret, daughter of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
St. Margaret, devotee of St. Joseph,
St. Margaret, image of Holy Father Dominic,
St. Margaret, lustrous pearl of the Most High,
St. Margaret, virginal lily of the Mantellate,
St. Margaret, chosen vessel of Lady Poverty,
St. Margaret, ardent apostle of charity,
St. Margaret, pattern of Eucharistic piety,
St. Margaret, mirror of prayer and penance,
St. Margaret, model of mercy and compassion,
St. Margaret, patroness of the blind and the disabled,
St. Margaret, servant of the sick and the outcast,
St. Margaret, comfort to the afflicted,
St. Margaret, relief to the abandoned,
St. Margaret, strength of the burdened,
St. Margaret, hope of the unwanted,
St. Margaret, shelter for the homeless,
St. Margaret, advocate for the aborted,
St. Margaret, blind but illumined by Christ,
St. Margaret, lame but animated by Christ,
St. Margaret, deformed but conformed to Christ,
St. Margaret, dwarfed but restored in Christ,
St. Margaret, wondrous heart of pearls,
St. Margaret, incorruptible sign of salvation,
St. Margaret, glorious intercessor before the throne of God,

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.                               Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.                               Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.                                Have mercy on us.

Pray for us, St. Margaret of Castello,                                                      that we may be made worthy
                                                                                                                           of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, who made the virgin Saint Margaret of Castello strong
by the power of Christ,
grant, we pray, that, through her intercession,
we may so boast in our weaknesses
as to merit the grace of life eternal.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Composed by Maximilian Maria Jaskowak, O.P.

O Blessed Margaret of Castello, you turned to God in prayer with confidence and trust. Through continual prayer, you accepted your misfortunes. Obtain for me the grace to persevere in my prayer, confident that God will give me the help to carry whatever cross comes into my life.
V. Blessed Margaret of Castello
R. Pray for Us!

___________________________________________________________________

O my God I thank you for having given Blessed Margaret of Castello, 1287-1320, to the world as an example of the degree of holiness that can be attained by anyone who truly loves you, regardless of physical abnormalities.  In today’s perverted culture, Margaret would have most likely never been born; death through abortion being preferred to life especially life in an ugly distorted, twisted body.  But Your ways are not the world’s way and so it was Your will that Margaret would be born into the world with such a malformed body.  Margaret was born blind so as to see You more clearly; a cripple, so as to lean on You completely; dwarfed in physical posture so as to become a giant in the spiritual order; hunch-backed, so as to more perfectly resemble the twisted crucified body of Your Son. Margaret’s whole life was an enactment of the words expressed by St. Paul; “I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with distressed persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong.’  (2Cor. 12:10).
Blessed Margaret of Castello, Pray for Us!

Say Every Day

O God, by whose Will the blessed virgin, Margaret, as blind from birth, that the eyes of her mind being inwardly enlightened she might think without ceasing on You alone; be the light of our eyes, that we may be able to flee the shadows of this world, and reach the home of never-ending light.  We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.  Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, glorify your servant St. Margaret, by granting the favor we so ardently desire.  This we ask in humble submission to God’s Will, for His honor and glory and the salvation of souls.

Prayer

O my God, I thank you for having given St. Margaret of Castello to the world as an example of the degree of holiness that can be attained by anyone who truly loves you, irregardless of physical abnormalities.  In today’s perverted culture, Margaret would have, most likely, never been born; death through abortion being preferable to life, especially life in an ugly distorted, twisted body. But Your ways are not the world’s ways… and so it was Your Will that Margaret would be born into the world with just such a malformed body.  It is Your way that uses our weakness to give testimony to Your power.  Margaret was born blind, so as to see You more clearly; a cripple so as to lean on You completely; dwarfed in physical posture, so as to become a giant in the spiritual order; hunch-backed, so as to more perfectly resemble the twisted, crucified body of Your Son.  Margaret’s whole life was an enactment of the words expressed by Paul; “So I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me and that is why I am content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions and agonies I go through for Christ’s sake.  For it is when I am weak that I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10).

I beseech you, O God, to grant, through the intercession of St. Margaret of Castello, that all the handicapped…and who among us is not?...all the rejected, all the UNWANTED of this world may make their weaknesses their own special boast so that Your power may stay over them now and forever.  Amen.  St. Margaret of Castello, pray for us!

(3 Our Fathers and 3 Hail Marys)

Nine-Day Prayer
Imploring St. Margaret of Castello’s Intercession

1st Day
O St. Margaret of Castello, in embracing your life just as it was, you gave us an example of resignation to the Will of God.  In so accepting God’s Will, you knew that you would grow in virtue, glorify God, save you own soul and help the souls of your neighbors.  Obtain for me the grace to recognize the Will of God in all that may happen to me in my life and so resign myself to it.  Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God. 

2nd Day
O St. Margaret of Castello, in reflecting so deeply upon the sufferings and death of our Crucified Lord, you learned courage and gained the grace to bear your own afflictions.  Obtain for me the grace and courage that I so urgently need so as to be able to bear my infirmities and endure my afflictions in union with our Suffering Savior.  Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God. 
Let us pray: O God, etc.

3rd Day
O St. Margaret of Castello, your love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament was intense and enduring.  It was here in intimacy with the Divine Presence that you found the spiritual strength to accept sufferings, to be cheerful, patient, and kindly toward others.  Obtain for me the grace that I may draw from this same source, as from an inexhaustible font, the strength whereby I may be kind and understanding of everyone despite whatever pain or discomfort may come my way.  Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God. 
Let us pray: O God, etc.

4th Day
O St. Margaret of Castello, you unceasingly turned to God in prayer with confidence and trust in His fatherly love.  It was only through continual prayer that you were enabled to accept your misfortunes, to be serene, patient, and at peace.  Obtain for me the grace to persevere in my prayer, confident that God will give me the help to carry whatever cross comes into my life.  Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God. 
Let us pray: O God, etc.

5th Day
O St. Margaret of Castello, in imitation of the Child Jesus, Who was subject to Mary and Joseph, you obeyed your father and mother, overlooking their unnatural harshness.  Obtain for me that same attitude of obedience toward all those who have legitimate authority over me, most especially toward the Holy Roman Catholic Church.  Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God. 
Let us pray: O God, etc.

6th Day
O St. Margaret of Castello, your miseries taught you better than any teacher the weakness and frailty of human nature.  Obtain for me the grace to recognize my human limitations and to acknowledge my utter dependence upon God.  Acquire for me that abandonment which leaves me completely at the mercy of God to do with me whatsoever He wills.  Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God. 
Let us pray: O God, etc.

7th Day
O St. Margaret of Castello, you could have so easily become discouraged and bitter; but, instead, you fixed your eyes on the Suffering Christ and there you learned from Him the redemptive value of suffering –how to offer your pains and aches, in reparation for sin and for the salvation of souls.  Obtain for me the grace to learn how to endure my sufferings with patience.  Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God. 
Let us pray: O God, etc.

8th Day
O St. Margaret of Castello, how it must have hurt when your parents abandoned you!  Yet you learned from this that all earthly love and affection, even for those who are closest, must be sanctified.  And so, despite everything, you continue to love your parents –but now you loved them in God.  Obtain for me the grace that I might see all my human loves and affections in their proper perspective…In God and for God.  Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God. 
Let us pray: O God, etc.

9th Day
O St. Margaret of Castello, through your suffering and misfortune, you became sensitive to the sufferings of others.  Your heart reached out to everyone in trouble –the sick, the hungry, the dying, prisoners.  Obtain for me the grace to recognize Jesus in everyone with whom I come into contact, especially in the poor, the wretched, the unwanted!  Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God. 
Let us pray: O God, etc.