St. Margaret of Cortona is celebrated for her profound transformation from a life of sin to one of deep penitence and devotion, ultimately dedicating herself to God and serving the poor.
About St. Margaret of Cortona
St. Margaret of Cortona was born of farming parents in Laviano, Tuscany. Her mother died when Margaret was seven; life with her stepmother was so difficult that Margaret moved out.
For nine years she lived with Arsenio, though they were not married, and she bore him a son. In those years, she had doubts about her situation. Somewhat like Saint Augustine, she prayed for purity—but not just yet.
One day she was waiting for Arsenio and was instead met by his dog. The animal led Margaret into the forest where she found Arsenio murdered. This crime shocked Margaret into a life of penance.
She and her son returned to Laviano, where she was not well received by her stepmother. They then went to Cortona, where her son eventually became a friar.
In 1277, three years after her conversion, Margaret became a Franciscan tertiary. Under the direction of her confessor, who sometimes had to order her to moderate her self-denial, she pursued a life of prayer and penance at Cortona. There she established a hospital and founded a congregation of tertiary sisters.
The poor and humble Margaret was, like Francis, devoted to the Eucharist and to the passion of Jesus. These devotions fueled her great charity and drew sinners to her for advice and inspiration. She was canonized in 1728. St. Margaret of Cortona’s liturgical feast is celebrated on February 22.
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.
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena Prayers
Pray this St. Margaret of Cortona Novena for your intentions asking St. Margaret of Cortona to intercede to God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
You can pray the St. Margaret of Cortona Novena for any intention!
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena Day 1
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret, you embarked on a life of penance and poverty after you repented of your sins. Jesus touched your heart, and after imposing on yourself a rigorous life of fasting, Jesus talked and conversed with you, revealing to you his merciful heart that rejoices whenever a sinner returns to him.
On controlling your appetite for food, you managed to free yourself from all temptations, including those of the flesh of which you were a victim for many years. Listen then to our petitions. May you bring our petitions to Jesus.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena Day 2
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret, you embarked on a life of penance and poverty after you repented of your sins. Jesus touched your heart, and after imposing on yourself a rigorous life of fasting, Jesus talked and conversed with you, revealing to you his merciful heart that rejoices whenever a sinner returns to him.
On controlling your appetite for food, you managed to free yourself from all temptations, including those of the flesh of which you were a victim for many years. Listen then to our petitions. May you bring our petitions to Jesus.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena Day 3
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret, you embarked on a life of penance and poverty after you repented of your sins. Jesus touched your heart, and after imposing on yourself a rigorous life of fasting, Jesus talked and conversed with you, revealing to you his merciful heart that rejoices whenever a sinner returns to him.
On controlling your appetite for food, you managed to free yourself from all temptations, including those of the flesh of which you were a victim for many years. Listen then to our petitions. May you bring our petitions to Jesus.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena Day 4
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret, you embarked on a life of penance and poverty after you repented of your sins. Jesus touched your heart, and after imposing on yourself a rigorous life of fasting, Jesus talked and conversed with you, revealing to you his merciful heart that rejoices whenever a sinner returns to him.
On controlling your appetite for food, you managed to free yourself from all temptations, including those of the flesh of which you were a victim for many years. Listen then to our petitions. May you bring our petitions to Jesus.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena Day 5
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret, you embarked on a life of penance and poverty after you repented of your sins. Jesus touched your heart, and after imposing on yourself a rigorous life of fasting, Jesus talked and conversed with you, revealing to you his merciful heart that rejoices whenever a sinner returns to him.
On controlling your appetite for food, you managed to free yourself from all temptations, including those of the flesh of which you were a victim for many years. Listen then to our petitions. May you bring our petitions to Jesus.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena Day 6
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret, you embarked on a life of penance and poverty after you repented of your sins. Jesus touched your heart, and after imposing on yourself a rigorous life of fasting, Jesus talked and conversed with you, revealing to you his merciful heart that rejoices whenever a sinner returns to him.
On controlling your appetite for food, you managed to free yourself from all temptations, including those of the flesh of which you were a victim for many years. Listen then to our petitions. May you bring our petitions to Jesus.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena Day 7
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret, you embarked on a life of penance and poverty after you repented of your sins. Jesus touched your heart, and after imposing on yourself a rigorous life of fasting, Jesus talked and conversed with you, revealing to you his merciful heart that rejoices whenever a sinner returns to him.
On controlling your appetite for food, you managed to free yourself from all temptations, including those of the flesh of which you were a victim for many years. Listen then to our petitions. May you bring our petitions to Jesus.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena Day 8
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret, you embarked on a life of penance and poverty after you repented of your sins. Jesus touched your heart, and after imposing on yourself a rigorous life of fasting, Jesus talked and conversed with you, revealing to you his merciful heart that rejoices whenever a sinner returns to him.
On controlling your appetite for food, you managed to free yourself from all temptations, including those of the flesh of which you were a victim for many years. Listen then to our petitions. May you bring our petitions to Jesus.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Margaret of Cortona Novena Day 9
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Margaret, you embarked on a life of penance and poverty after you repented of your sins. Jesus touched your heart, and after imposing on yourself a rigorous life of fasting, Jesus talked and conversed with you, revealing to you his merciful heart that rejoices whenever a sinner returns to him.
On controlling your appetite for food, you managed to free yourself from all temptations, including those of the flesh of which you were a victim for many years. Listen then to our petitions. May you bring our petitions to Jesus.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…