“If only you knew what was in my heart!”

Margaret was born in the Metola Castle of Perugia, near Rome, in 1287 to Parisio and Emilia, who were nobles. Her father served at the garrison at the castle.

She was born blind and with a severe curvature of the spine. She had difficulties walking and was also growth-restricted, with possible dwarfism. Her socially prominent parents, who had wanted a boy, were embarrassed by her and hid her from everyone. They lied and said she died at birth.

A kind maid found her and gave her the name Margaret, which was derived from Greek for “pearl”.

When she was almost found out at the age of 6, her parents sealed her in a room that was attached to the residence’s chapel. She was still able to attend Mass and receive the sacraments as she was instructed by the parent’s chaplain in her faith.

With an imminent threat of invasion, the family fled to another castle. Margaret was hidden under a veil and again placed in a similar cell. Those who knew about her treatment were furious but were afraid to report.

When she was 16, she was taken to the shrine in Castello where miracles were said to happen with the hopes of a cure. When nothing happened, her parents abandoned her there. Margaret never had resentment.

Women noticed her there and the town’s poor took her in as their own. She was granted safe haven in the local convent but their lax manner conflicted with Margaret’s intense faith. Margaret’s strictness and zeal conflicted with the others and she was expelled as she made them self-conscious, angry, and resentful. Despite her suffering, she remained serene, calm, cheerful, and courageous. She never became bitter, complained, criticized others or became discouraged.

The townsfolk resumed caring for her and to thank them for their kindness, she opened a small school for the children where she instructed them in the faith and psalms. She also cared for the children while the parents worked.

She came to know the Dominican Friars who established in town and she came under their spiritual guidance. She was admitted to the local chapter of the Third Order of Saint Dominic and received the religious habit.

She accepted her suffering with the eyes of faith, knowing that God was all-good, and wondered why others pitied her as she saw it a privilege to suffer with Christ and her way to heaven.

She was sympathetic to the trials of others and visited prisoners, helped the sick, and comforted the dying.

She died on April 12, 1320, and the crowds at her funeral demanded that she be buried inside the church against the decision of the parish priest. After a disabled girl was cured while at the funeral, she was allowed to be buried within.

She is an inspiration to those who are discouraged and tempted to self-pity.

She is the patron saint of the disabled, blind, and unwanted.

Her feast day is April 13.

For God’s Glory.