Little Margaret was only eight when her mother died. Her father married another women, who treated her harshly.
At the age of sixteen, Margaret met a rich young man, who was struck by her beauty. He told her that he loved her. The poor girl was unhappy at home and she wanted to be loved. She wanted a grand house instead of a poor cottage. She thought it would be so nice to wear beautiful gowns and jewels instead of ragged clothes. She went off with the nobleman.
Although she now had the things she wanted, Margaret was never really happy. Deep down in her heart she felt bad because she was leading a life of sin.
One day, the nobleman was killed in the woods. His dog came home and led Margaret to the place where he lay. As she looked down on his body, she realized that if she did not change her sinful life she might one day die without God’s grace. That terrible sight made such an impression on her that then and there, at only twenty-five years of age, she made up her mind to change. She confessed her sins and did penance for the rest of her life. To make up for the bad example she had given, she once put a rope around her neck and begged forgiveness to everyone in her parish church.
Her father and stepmother would not let her live in her home, but Margaret put all her trust in her heavenly Father. She started a hospital for the sick poor and served there herself. She brought many souls to God by her good example.
If we have given bad example, we should ask God’s pardon. Then let us make up for our faults by kind words and good deeds.
