TODAY'S SAINT (Margaret Clitherow)

MARGARET CLITHEROW

Martyr

 

 

Bless Margaret Clitherow was born at Middleton, England in 1555, of Protestant parents. Possessed of good looks and full of wit and merriment, she was a charminng personality. In 1571, she married John Clitherow, a well-to-do grazier  and butcher (to whom she bore two children), and a few years later she entered the Catholic Church. Her zeal led he to harbor fugitive priests, for which she was arrested and imprissoned by the hostile authorities.

     Recourse was had to every means in an attempt to make her deny her Faith, but the holy woman stood firm. Finally, she was condemned to be pressed to death on March 25, 1586. She was stretched out on the ground with a sharp rock on her back and crushed under a door overladen with unbearable weights. Her bones were broken and she died within fifteen minutes.

     The humanity and  holiness of this servant of God can be readily glimpsed in her words to a friend when she learned of her   condemnation: "The sheriffs have said that I am going to die this coming Friday; and I feel the weakness of my flesh which is troubled at this news, but my spirit rejoices greatly. For the love of God, pray for me and ask all good people to do likewise."

 

PRAYER

God, by Your gift virtue is perfected in weakness. Grant to all who recall the glory of St. Margaret that she who obtained strength from You the grace to enable us to triumph. Amen.

 

     Feast: March 26