Margaret of Città di Castello
Saint Margaret of Città di Castello (1287-1320), known as the 'little blind girl of Metola', was an Italian Dominican laywoman known for her piety, patience in the face of infirmities, and devotion to the poor and the sick.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
Biography
Birth in Metola with severe disabilities, confinement by her parents, abandonment in Città di Castello, and temporary shelter with nuns.
Saint Margaret of Città di Castello (also known as Margherita della Metola or the "little blind girl of Metola") was born around 1287 in the fortified village of Metola, located near Mercatello sul Metauro, in Italy. Coming from a family of the local minor nobility (her parents were named Parisio and Emilia), she was born with severe physical disabilities: she was blind from birth, suffered from dwarfism, had a severe spinal deformity, and one leg was shorter than the other.
Deeply humiliated by her appearance, her father decided to hide her from the eyes of the world by locking her in a cramped cell built apart, against the wall of the castle church. She spent her childhood there in solitude, already dedicating herself to prayer. Around the age of five, her parents took her to Città di Castello, to the church of San Francesco, to the tomb of a Franciscan lay brother named Giacomo (who died in 1292 in the odor of sanctity), in the hope of obtaining a miraculous healing of her sight. As the miracle did not occur, her parents abandoned her permanently in the city, leaving her to fend for herself.
After begging for some time in the streets, she was taken in by the nuns of the small community of Saint Margaret. However, her rigorous piety, her mortifications, and her gentle warnings eventually aroused the jealousy and resentment of the nuns, who expelled her from the monastery.
Life and Work
Taken in by Grigia and Venturino, Margaret joined the Dominican Third Order and dedicated herself to teaching, caring for the sick, and supporting prisoners.
After her expulsion, Margaret was taken in by a couple of fervent Christians, Grigia and Venturino. They welcomed her as their own daughter and prepared a small cell for her in the upper part of their house so that she could freely devote herself to prayer, contemplation, and penance.
Desirous of fully dedicating her life to God while remaining in the world, she joined the Third Order of Penance of Saint Dominic (the Mantellate). She received the Dominican habit and fervently embraced their rule of prayer and charity.
Despite her blindness and infirmities, Margaret displayed intense charitable and spiritual activity: - Teaching: She taught the catechism, the Office of the Virgin, and the Psalter (which she had learned entirely by heart) to disciples and to the children of her adoptive family. - Support for prisoners: She regularly visited prisoners to bring them comfort and hope. - Care for the sick: She cared for the sick and assisted the dying. - Spiritual counsel: She served as a spiritual guide and advisor for many people in the city, shining with her inner wisdom and her ability to reconcile hearts.
Path to Holiness
Died at 33, immediate popular devotion, discovery of three engraved stones in her heart, and observation of her incorrupt body.
Margaret passed away on April 13, 1320, in Città di Castello, at the age of approximately 33. Upon her death, popular fervor was such that the inhabitants demanded she be buried inside the church rather than in the common cemetery.
According to the hagiographic accounts of the time, during the preparation of her remains, three small stones (or pearls) were discovered in her heart, engraved with the images of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, testifying to her absolute mystical devotion to the Holy Family.
In 1558, upon the opening of her coffin, her body was discovered perfectly intact and incorrupt. Examinations then confirmed her physical characteristics: a height of approximately 1.20 meters and a right leg four centimeters shorter than the left. Her incorrupt body rests today under the high altar of the church of San Domenico in Città di Castello.
Beatification and canonization
Beatification in 1609 by Paul V, extension of the cult in 1675, proclamation as patroness of the disabled in 1988, and equipollent canonization in 2021 by Pope Francis.
The cult of Margaret developed rapidly in central Italy and within the Dominican Order.
- Beatification: On October 19, 1609, Pope Paul V officially authorized her cult (equivalent to a beatification) by granting the city of Città di Castello the proper Mass and Office of the Blessed, following a rigorous investigation conducted under the direction of Cardinal Robert Bellarmine. On April 6, 1675, Pope Clement X extended this liturgical privilege to the entire Order of Preachers. - Patronage: In 1988, the bishops of the dioceses of Urbino-Urbania-Sant'Angelo in Vado and Città di Castello proclaimed her diocesan patroness of the blind and disabled persons. - Canonization: On April 24, 2021, Pope Francis proceeded with her equipollent canonization (without a new miracle being formally required, due to the antiquity and constancy of her cult), extending her veneration to the universal Church and officially inscribing her in the catalogue of saints.
Spirituality and legacy
Spirituality of joyful abandonment to Providence and participation in the Cross, making her the patron saint of the blind, the disabled, and abandoned children.
The spirituality of Saint Margaret of Città di Castello is based on a confident and joyful abandonment to Divine Providence, experienced as an intimate participation in the mystery of the Cross. Rejected by her biological parents and marked by severe infirmities, she never manifested bitterness, but transformed her suffering into a source of spiritual fruitfulness and active charity. She is today invoked as the patron saint of the blind, the disabled, as well as abandoned or unwanted children. Her legacy forcefully recalls the inalienable dignity of every human person, regardless of their physical limitations or vulnerability.
The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Margaret of Città di Castello
Frequently asked questions about Margaret of Città di Castello
Who was Margaret of Città di Castello?
Saint Margaret of Città di Castello (1287-1320), known as the 'little blind girl of Metola', was an Italian Dominican laywoman known for her piety, patience in the face of infirmities, and devotion to the poor and the sick.
What is Margaret of Città di Castello the patron saint of?
Patronage of Margaret of Città di Castello: aveugles, the blind, personnes handicapées, disabled people, enfants abandonnés, abandoned children, enfants non désirés and unwanted children.
What miracles are attributed to Margaret of Città di Castello?
2 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Sign / wonder and Incorruptibility.
Which saints were contemporaries of Margaret of Città di Castello?
Contemporaries include: Saint Peregrinus of Auxerre, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Francis of Assisi (Confessor) and Saint Colette (Nicole).
When did Margaret of Città di Castello die?
Margaret of Città di Castello died around 1320.
What are the other names of Margaret of Città di Castello?
Other forms of the name: Margherita della Metola, petite aveugle de la Metola and Marguerite de Città di Castello.
Who are the relatives of Margaret of Città di Castello?
Relatives of Margaret of Città di Castello: Parisio (father), Emilia (mother), Grigia (adoptive mother) and Venturino (adoptive father).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Era / death: 1320
- Canonized in 2021 by Francis