Blessed Margaret Of Louvain

Biography

Blessed Margaret of Louvain, also known as Marguerite la Fiere, Margaret la Fière, Margaret van Leuven, Margaret van L√∂wen, Margarita Lovania, Fiere Margriet, Margaretula, Margarita, Margaritha, Margriet, Margrit, and Marguerite, was born in 1207 to a poor family in Louvain, Brabant, Belgium. In her late teens, Margaret began working as a maid at the Sint Joris, an inn owned by her uncle, Aubert.

Margaret's uncle and his wife decided to sell the inn and enter religious life. Margaret, too, had aspirations of becoming a Cistercian nun. However, tragedy befell on their last night at the inn. Thieves broke into the establishment and murdered her uncle and aunt while Margaret was away. Unfortunately, as Margaret returned home, she encountered the killers who then took her life as well.

Following her tragic death, devotion to Blessed Margaret of Louvain began to spread as miracles were reported near her original grave site located beside the river. Legend holds that her body was thrown into the river Deel by her assailants but was eventually recovered. It is said that a large fish miraculously pushed her body upstream, and an angel shone a light on it until it was found and retrieved. Subsequently, her body was laid to rest along the river bank.

Later on, the remains of Blessed Margaret of Louvain were transferred to Saint Peter's Church in Louvain. Her tomb became a site of numerous reported miracles, further fostering the devotion and veneration of the faithful.

In recognition of her holiness and the miracles associated with her intercession, Blessed Margaret of Louvain was beatified by Pope Saint Pius X in 1905. Her cultus, or widespread veneration, was officially confirmed. Today, she is commemorated on 2nd September, her feast day.

Blessed Margaret of Louvain stands as a testament to faith and grace, drawing believers to seek her intercession and learn from her virtuous example. Her humble origins, tragic death, and the miracles that followed have solidified her place among the blessed saints of the Catholic Church.