Bl. Margaret Colonna

Biography

Blessed Margaret Colonna (c. 1255–1280) was born into the Colonna family, one of the most powerful noble houses of Rome. Her parents died when she was young, and she was raised by her brothers, including Giacomo Colonna, later a cardinal, and Giovanni Colonna, later a Roman senator. Her family hoped for a marriage that would advance their fortunes, but Margaret, devoted to prayer and to the Franciscan ideal of poverty, refused. With her brother Giacomo's support, she withdrew to the family property on the slopes of Mount Prenestino above Palestrina, near the village now called Castel San Pietro Romano. There she lived simply with a few companions, giving away her wealth, caring for the poor and sick, and spending long hours in prayer. She hoped her community would follow the way of life of St. Clare, and she sought to join the Poor Clares at Assisi but was prevented by illness. For about seven years she suffered from a painful ulcer, which she bore with patience. She died on December 30, 1280, some sources say in 1284. Two Lives written soon after her death, one by her brother Giovanni and another by Stefania, a member of her community, preserve her story. In 1285 her companions moved to the monastery of San Silvestro in Capite in Rome and became Poor Clares. Pope Blessed Pius IX confirmed her cult in 1847.

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