Blessed Margaret of Savoy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blessed Margaret of Savoy OP
Born	21 June 1382 or 1390 Fossano
Died	23 November 1464 Casale
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Beatified	9 October 1669 by Pope Clement IX
Feast	23 November

Margaret of Savoy (born 21 June 1382 or 1390 – died 23 November 1464) was a noblewoman who became a Dominican nun. She was also known as the Marchioness of Montferrat. She is honored as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.

Margaret's Family Background

Margaret was the oldest of four daughters. Her parents were Amadeo of Savoy, who was the Lord of Piedmont, and Catherine of Geneva.

Her family, the House of Savoy, was very important in Europe. They ruled over areas like Piedmont. Margaret's family also had a claim to the title of Prince of Achaea, which was a region in Greece.

Her Marriage and Widowhood

On 17 January 1403, Margaret married Theodore II, Marquess of Montferrat. He was a powerful ruler from the Palaiologos family. Theodore had been married before, but his first wife had passed away.

Margaret became very religious after hearing the famous preacher Vincent Ferrer. He visited Montferrat for several months. Margaret and Theodore's marriage lasted for fifteen years. They did not have any children together. Theodore passed away in 1418, leaving Margaret a widow.

Life as a Nun

After her husband died, Margaret decided to leave her life as a noblewoman. She chose to dedicate her life to God. She handed over the rule of Montferrat to her stepson, Jean-Jacques.

Margaret then moved to Alba, a town in Italy. There, she joined the Third Order of St. Dominic. This is a group of people who live by the rules of the Dominican Order, but they do not live in a monastery.

Later, the Duke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti, wanted to marry her. He even asked Pope Martin V to allow her to break her religious promise. However, Margaret refused. She wanted to continue her religious life.

Instead, Margaret and several other noble young women founded a new monastery. They placed it under the rules of the Dominican Order. Margaret lived a very devout life, praying and helping others. She passed away in Alba on 23 November 1464.

Honoring Blessed Margaret

Margaret was considered a very holy person. Soon after her death, on 13 December 1464, her body was placed in a simple tomb. Later, in 1481, her remains were moved to a more beautiful tomb. This new tomb was built in her monastery in Alba.

Today, her remains are kept in the church of Santa Maria Maddalena, Alba. She is honored as "Blessed" Margaret of Savoy. This means the Church recognizes her as a holy person.

In the church of San Michele Maggiore in Pavia, there is a painting that shows four holy people from the Savoy family. Margaret is shown in this painting. She is dressed as a nun and holds three arrows.