Grace and Space

A penitent of the Third Order of St. Francis,  Margaret was born at Laviano in Tuscany, Italy in 1247. When about seventeen years of age, she made the acquaintance of a young rich man with whom she eloped. For nine years she lived with him in his castle and a son was born to them. They were never married.

She was set free from her life of sin by the tragic death of her lover, who was murdered. She returned to his relatives all the jewels and property he had given her and left his home; she then went with her little son to the Franciscan Friars at Cortona and put herself under their spiritual direction. For three years Margaret had to struggle hard with temptations. She fasted rigorously, abstaining altogether from flesh-meat, and generally subsisting upon bread and herbs.

Margaret lived in strict poverty. Following the example of St. Francis, she went and begged her bread. But while living on alms, she gave her services freely to others; especially to the sick-poor whom she nursed. 
She was declared patroness of weight loss not so much because of her fasting and abstinence but because of her overcoming of temptations. She is described as the second Mary Magdalene. Her feast day is celebrated on February 22.

 Novena to St. Margaret