On her feast day, MaterCare International joins Catholics worldwide in honoring Blessed Margaret of Città-di-Castello (1287-1320)—a woman of extraordinary faith, resilience, and compassion who continues to inspire us in our mission to serve mothers and babies with dignity, respect, and love.
Blessed Margaret was born into challenging circumstances. She came into the world blind, with a hunched back, and lame—her body bearing the marks of physical suffering that society often saw as a curse. Her parents, unable to reconcile their shame with her visible disabilities, abandoned her as a child. Yet, Margaret’s life was far from a tragedy. It became a testament to the sanctity of life and the power of unconditional love, even in the face of rejection and societal prejudice.
Raised by the kindness of strangers and eventually finding refuge in the care of charitable individuals, Margaret grew into a beacon of faith and service. Despite her hardships, she embraced her suffering as a pathway to spiritual growth, dedicating herself to prayer, acts of mercy, and advocacy for the vulnerable. Her life reminds us that every human being, no matter their circumstances, reflects the image of God and has a purpose in His divine plan.
Margaret’s example holds particular resonance for the work of MaterCare International.
Like Margaret, we believe that every life is sacred, and we strive to affirm the dignity of both mothers and children, particularly in communities where resources are scarce and medical care is inaccessible. In her steadfast faith and joyful service, Margaret exemplifies the spirit we aim to embody as we provide maternal care that respects the inherent worth of every individual.
Her legacy challenges us to confront societal norms that marginalize the weak and vulnerable. Margaret saw Christ in every person she encountered and responded with boundless love and care. In a world that often dismisses those who are different or inconvenient, her witness calls us to fight for a culture that values life at every stage and in every condition.
As we celebrate Blessed Margaret today, let us draw inspiration from her life. Let her courage embolden us to advocate for mothers who are abandoned or forgotten, for children whose lives are dismissed as unworthy, and for families who face impossible choices with little support. May her intercession strengthen our resolve to work toward a world where all life is cherished and protected.
MaterCare International offers our prayers of gratitude for Blessed Margaret’s enduring witness. May she continue to inspire us in our mission, and may her life remind us that even the smallest acts of love and service can transform the world.
Blessed Margaret of Città-di-Castello, pray for us!
https://www.op.org/st-margaret-of-citta-di-castello/biography-of-st-margaret-of-citta-di-castello/
