St. Margaret of Hungary
1242-1271

January 18

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different endings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.” 1Corinthians

To each individual a manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. As we look at the life of St. Margaret of Hungary we see the workings of God from within her and all around her. She lived a short life but within her time here on earth she was enabled by the Spirit to grow in the love of Christ and his Passion. It was through this love of Jesus’ Passion that she grew to value suffering.

St. Margaret’s father, the King, fearing an invasion by the barbarian Monguls vowed her to God before she was born. At the age of three he brought her to a Dominican Monastery. There she grew in life, learning and prayer and the love of Christ. Being cloistered did not prevent her from being aware of the many needs of the Church and her country for which she offered many prayers and penances.

Her extraordinary faith and devotion, her love of the Dominican liturgy, Office and Mass, is a great challenge for us today. Are we up to up to it?