St. Margaret of Castello: The Little Pearl

Margaret Metola was born in Italy in the year 1287, just before the beginning of the Renaissance. She was born in the Metola Castle in the central Apennines, in a territory that, in the 13th and 14th centuries, was known as Massa Trabaria. It was a Papal State in a very wooded area.  When Margaret was born, Italy was filled with intense turmoil. The country was suffering from violent and endless wars.  Such was the time and place that Margaret was born into.

Margaret’s parents, Parisio and Emilia, were of social and political prominence.  Parisio held the post of “Captain of the People” at the Castle of Motela, just as a number of his ancestors had before him. During times of war, he became commander-in-chief of the armies. He was a fearless and capable soldier, but also a worldly, hot-tempered, and very proud man. Both Parisio and Emilia came from prominent families, but neither of them were devout in their religious practice. When they learned that Emilia was expecting a baby, they both eagerly anticipated the birth of a son who could be Parisio’s heir.

When Margaret was born, her parents were not only dreadfully disappointed that she was a girl, but they were shocked and horrified by her many birth deformities.  Margaret was not a pretty baby, but her appearance was the least of her problems. She was unusually small, having a condition we now know as dwarfism; she had a curvature in her spine and a hunchback; her right leg was shorter than her left, and she was blind. Her parents were not the type to be touched with compassion, so instead of rendering tender pity to their baby, they viewed her with scorn and disgust. They were so ashamed that they decided to keep their so-called “misfortune” a secret.  They spread the news that their child was sickly and not likely to live, and then kept Margaret’s existence unknown and unseen.

A priest named Padre Cappallano served as pastor of the parish of Metola and the chaplain of the fort.  He rightly insisted that the baby be baptized; however, during his time there existed a custom where baptisms were performed in the cathedral of the diocese.  This meant the baby had to be taken to Mercatello to be baptized. Parisio and Emilia gave the task to a maid, and they indicated that they did not care what baptismal name was chosen for the baby.  So, it was the maid who chose the name of Margaret, which means pearl – a lovely symbol of perfection and beauty.  It is unknown if the maid knew the significance of the name she chose or not, but it certainly seemed like a contradiction given Margaret’s appearance.

In their shame and embarrassment, Parisio and Emilia kept the child hidden away for years. She was cared for by a nurse and the chaplain instructed her on religion. From a young age, the chaplain reports that Margaret was already pious and devout, and he was surprised by her remarkable intelligence. But her parents remained unmoved by such reports of her piety and intelligence.  

At the age of 6, Margaret was almost publicly discovered by visitors at the castle.  Her parents were so mortified by this almost-discovery that they took action to ensure it would never happen again.  Margaret was exiled to a small room attached to the chapel, and she was walled in so that she could not leave. Her parents had made her a prisoner, though in an apparent act of mercy, Margaret could still attend Mass and receive the Sacraments, as her room was attached to the chapel. 

The chaplain continued to patiently instruct Margaret in the truths of the faith.  He described her mind as “luminous.”  One biographer noted a similarity between Margaret’s early intelligence and that of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Rose of Lima when they were the same age.  It was through the patient religious instruction of the priest that Margaret was able to accept her suffering cheerfully.  She desired to grow in virtue and draw closer to the God who made her and loved her, but she knew the road she had to take was the same as her Savior: the road of suffering.  She realized that God allowed her suffering for good, which prompted her to accept it as a gift from God.  Despite the horrible way that her parents treated her, Margaret never grew bitter or angry toward them.  Remarkably, she maintained feelings of love and devotion and was even grateful for their care, meager as it was.  The fruit of being catechized at an early age was that she was able to make sense of her suffering. Additionally, even at the young age of 7, Margaret desired to practice voluntary penance, so she bound herself to a strict fast and secretly wore a hairshirt.

After 10 years in her little prison, her mother was forced to flee the castle due to a threat of invasion. Emilia placed a dark veil over Margaret so no one would see her as they traveled to their other castle at Mercatello.  Unfortunately for Margaret, the release from one prison was merely a transfer to another. This time it was a small vault-like cubicle containing nothing but a miserable pallet and a wooden bench.  The worst agony for Margaret was being deprived of the Mass, the Sacraments, and the presence and friendship of the chaplain who had taught her so much about religion.  An accumulation of trials was befalling her, but an even greater tragedy was lurking ahead.

When Parisio returned from war, Emilia convinced him to take Margaret to the city of Castello to pray for a cure. Apparently, a lay Franciscan tertiary, Fra Giacomo, had recently died, and many people were claiming miracles at his tomb. Surprisingly, Parisio agreed to make the journey over the Apennine Mountains to the Franciscan church.  Both Emilia and Margaret were surprised by Parasio’s keen interest and enthusiasm.  Emilia knew her husband was a ruthless man, but she may not have realized that he had already decided that this pilgrimage would rid them of their “problem” for good.

Margaret was around 16 years old when her parents brought her to the church hoping for a miracle.  They brought her as close to Fra Giacomo’s tomb as they could, then commanded her to pray with all her might for a cure.  As Margaret became absorbed in prayer, her parents left to stroll about the town.  Some time later, they returned to the church and found Margaret still enrapt in prayer.  No miracle had taken place.  Parisio and Emilia left the church in disgust.  As quickly as they could, they fled town.  They had stranded their blind daughter alone in a strange city.

Margaret’s biographer, Fr. William R. Bonniwell, O.P., writes: “The blind cultivate their sense of hearing to such a degree that when people approach them, they can usually recognize their different friends merely by listening to their footsteps. During the remaining years of Margaret’s life, she would hear the footsteps of a thousand people.  But no matter how long or attentively she would listen, never again would she hear the footsteps of the two persons she knew so well.  For the noble lord and lady of Metola had abandoned their daughter.”

Margaret remained obedient to her parents’ command, staying in the church to await their return. Eventually, the sexton came to lock the doors of the church for the night, and he found Margaret.  She had to leave the church but resolved to wait outside for her parents.

I don’t know how long she waited or when she realized that she had been callously abandoned, but in time she became a poor beggar in the streets. At first people viewed her suspiciously, thinking she was pretending to be blind and crippled to get money, but eventually her cheerful disposition won them over and they believed she was sincere. She was so patient in her suffering, and so happy despite her circumstances, that their suspicions turned into admiration.  Margaret lived with various poor people who took her into their homes. She went from home to home, each family doing what they could to help and support Margaret.  When the strain was too much, Margaret would be moved to another household. 

Margaret’s holiness was noticed by all, and so after some time Margaret was invited to join a convent of nuns.  After a life of solitude, it must have been a great joy to Margaret to live among the community of nuns. It wasn’t long before a conflict developed, at which Margaret was the center.  The sisters had grown lax in their observance of the Rule, but Margaret was not the type to neglect her duties. Margaret decided, through prayer and by talking to her confessor, that she would live according to the Rule, even if the other nuns weren’t. Her obedience to the Rule became a problem, as her quiet example made them look bad. The novice prioress encouraged Margaret to dismiss the Rule on silence in order to be sociable and to practice “charity above all other virtues.”  Even the Mother Prioress told Margaret to forgo the old Rule and to practice the latest custom instead.  Margaret, through speaking with her confessor, was sure that by following the Rule she was doing what was most pleasing to God, and Margaret was firm in that decision.

Since she would not compromise, she was expelled from the convent.  This was another cross for Margaret to carry, yet she still accepted her suffering cheerfully and harbored no bitterness toward the nuns. Margaret’s expulsion from the convent brought with it even more hardship as the townspeople resorted to public derision and contempt.  Margaret did not defend herself, nor speak ill of the nuns at the convent.  After months of ridicule and sneering remarks, people came to realize by Margaret’s charitable silence that they were wrong.

Margaret felt nothing but gratitude towards the townspeople and the nuns for their care of her.  She was so appreciative that she desired to give them something in return.  She opened a house for poor persons, cared for the sick and the suffering, and taught the children the catechism.  Her orphanage/school became like a daycare as people would leave their children in her care while they worked.

Margaret began to attend Mass every morning at the Dominican church and she became acquainted with some of the members of the Mantellate, an Italian term for a group of lay women who were members of the Order of Penance of St. Dominic.  Eventually, this organization would develop into the present day Third Order of St. Dominic. They were women who wished to live a religious life, but for whatever reason were not able to enter a convent.  Instead, they could affiliate themselves with the Dominican Order by joining the Order of Penance.  They continued to live at home, but were bound by a religious schedule of life, and they wore the Dominican religious habit at all times.  The name for these Sisters, the Mantellate, came from the black mantella (cloak) that was part of their habit.

After getting to know Margaret, some of the Mantellate wanted her to join their order.  At first, however, the Dominican priest would not permit Margaret to join because she was not of eligible age.  Generally, the order only accepted “mature” widows (although an older married woman could join with the express permission of her husband); but young women were never permitted.  Be that as it may, an exception was made for Margaret and she was given consent to join. After a careful investigation into her faith, character, and reputation, she was accepted as a member.  She was the first young, unmarried woman admitted to the Order.

Wearing the Dominican habit must have been very special for Margaret.  For the first time, she was part of a family - a great religious family - and she considered the Dominican friars and nuns as her true brothers and sisters.  Her habit was a constant reminder that she had dedicated herself to the service of God. 

The Rule of the Dominicans emphasized especially study, prayer, and penance. Study mostly applied to the First Order - the friars - but prayer and penance were obligatory for all Dominics, whether First, Second, or Third Order.  St. Dominic had been strongly influenced by the writings of St. Paul regarding the necessity of mortification to conquer inordinate passions and gain an incorruptible crown.  This is why he fixed for his Order certain penances.  Margaret was very inspired by the example of St. Dominic to take on more austere penances than what was required of her. Although she did not live in a convent, she chose to follow the routine of one as closely as possible.

Margaret prayed the 150 Psalms every day, as well as the Office of the Blessed Virgin and the Office of the Holy Cross.  Her biographer states that she said them from memory, and that she had somehow learned them in a miraculous way.  When Margaret heard the bell announcing Matins, she would rise to join the prayers of the friars in spirit.  But then she did not go back to sleep.  She spent the rest of the night in meditation.  She obtained permission from her confessor to imitate St. Dominic in the practice of scourging.  She felt that, if her suffering could save just one soul, she would gladly endure the utmost agony.

Her heart overflowed with love for God and others.  In fact, Margaret was known to often say, “Oh, if you only knew what I have in my heart!”  Despite her own infirmities, Margaret helped the sick and the dying.  The townspeople would frequently see her limping to the side of anyone in agony, and she would do everything she could to help them.  When she learned that the prisoners in jail were half-starved and lived in inhumane conditions, she began to visit them and tried to improve their living conditions.  Most women were not allowed to administer to the prisoners because it was such a foul place, filled with disease and sickness. But Margaret greatly desired to care for these miserable prisoners, perhaps because of her own time being imprisoned.

On April 13th, 1320, at the age of 33, Margaret died.  Poor religious would typically be buried in the cloister cemetery, but the people of Castello caused an uproar, insisting that she be buried in the church, an honor reserved for saints.  At first the priest resisted, but when a disabled girl was cured at Margaret’s funeral he allowed for her burial in the church.

The Incorruptibles published by TAN books relates the following:

“On June 9, 1558, the bishop authorized the transfer of the Beata’s remains to a new coffin after it was noticed that the original one was rotting away. The exhumation was undertaken in the presence of a number of official witnesses who were awe-stricken when the coffin was opened. While the clothing on the body had crumbled to dust, the body itself was found to be perfectly preserved, as though Margaret had just died.”

It was during this transfer to a new coffin that her body was discovered incorrupt, and a rather remarkable thing was discovered: Inside her heart were found three pearls on which appeared to be carved religious symbols, and the images of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin, and St. Joseph.

Her medieval biographer noted that she had a great love for St. Joseph.  This was not common in the Western Church during the time that Margaret lived.

Margaret’s body was reclothed in a fresh habit and placed in a new coffin. In 1609, the Church officially recognized Margaret’s sanctity, pronouncing her a Blessed and designating April 13th as her feast day. She was equivalently canonized by Pope Francis on April 24, 2021.

Margaret is an incredible example of forgiveness.  She could have blamed her problems on her parents, but she never did.  She never used her handicaps or suffering as an excuse.  She had every reason to be angry and bitter at her circumstances.  Instead, she lived up to her name, which means pearl.  Like the pearl of great price in Scripture, Margaret was a treasure.  She never fell into self-pity.  Through her faith and the Sacraments, the grace of Christ was in her soul, and she cooperated with that grace to become more like Christ and to practice remarkable virtue.  No matter how she was treated, she was always kind.  She received everything well and made use of the graces given to her.

St. Margaret of Castello, pray for us!