Blessed Margaret Plantagenet Pole was born in 1473 into the powerful Plantagenet royal family of England. Despite her noble birth, her life was marked by political turmoil and personal suffering. As the niece of two kings, Edward IV and Richard III, Margaret’s position was precarious under the new Tudor dynasty. She remained a devout Catholic throughout the reign of King Henry VIII, even as he broke from the Church. Margaret’s loyalty to the Catholic faith and to the rightful line of succession made her a target. She was eventually arrested without a formal trial and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Despite her old age and harsh imprisonment, she refused to betray her faith or her conscience. In 1541, at the age of 67, Margaret was martyred for her faith, dying with dignity and courage. She was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886, honored as a steadfast witness to truth and integrity.
Practical Lessons:
- Stand Firm in Your Beliefs: Blessed Margaret Pole’s refusal to abandon her faith teaches us to hold fast to our values, even when pressured by popular opinion or authority. In today’s world, this might mean speaking respectfully but firmly about your faith in social or work environments.
- Respond to Injustice with Dignity: Despite being treated unjustly, Margaret maintained her dignity and peace. In everyday life, we can imitate her by responding to unfair treatment or misunderstandings with grace, not bitterness or revenge.
- Stay Faithful in Small Things: Margaret’s quiet daily faithfulness, even in prison, reminds us that holiness often comes through perseverance in small acts of prayer, service, and patience, especially when life is difficult.
Prayer:
Blessed Margaret Pole, faithful daughter of the Church and courageous witness to Christ, pray for us. Help us to remain steadfast in our faith, to act with dignity in the face of injustice, and to persevere in daily faithfulness. Through your intercession, may we always seek to live with integrity and courage, no matter the trials we face. Amen.
Quote:
“I die the King’s good servant, but God’s first.” — Blessed Margaret Pole
Other Saints We Remember Today
St. Bernard of Montjoux (1081), Priest, Religious, Patron of Mountain Climbers
St. Germanus (576), Abbot, Bishop
photo by anonymous via Wikimedia Commons
