Give her the reward of her deeds;
they will proclaim her as she enters the gates.

Blessed Margaret of Savoy

From the Dominican Ordo:

Blessed Margaret, a member of the noble family of the Dukes of Savoy, was born probably in 1382 and married the Marquis of Monferrat, a widower with two children.  They lived a model Christian life, sharing their wealth with the poor, educating the ignorant, and caring for victims of the plague.  Upon the death of her husband she vowed herself to widowhood and with the encouragement of Saint Vincent Ferrer took the habit of the Sisters of Penance and founded the monastery of Saint Mary Magdalen at Alba.  In a vision our Lord offered her three arrows: “sickness,” “slander,” and “persecution.”  She endured all of these and offered her sufferings for the peace of the universal Church, for the Western Schism had begun a short time before.  She died on November 23, 1464.

For more on the life and virtue of Blessed Margaret, click here and here.

God of holiness,
you taught Blessed Margaret
to leave the royal court
and to follow you in humility.
Following her example
may we learn to cherish what is divine
and to overcome all adversities
through love of your cross.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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