Women in History: Saint Margaret of Castello’s Heart of Perseverance

For Holy Women’s History Month, Marge Steinhage Fenelon shares her devotion to a young saint whose life was deeply rooted in Christ.  

Saint Margaret of Castello is a saint who quietly slipped into my life and then refused to leave — not out of stubbornness, but because her witness is so radiant, so steady, and so deeply rooted in Christ. She was born in 1287, blind, with severe curvature of the spine; her right leg was an inch and a half shorter than her left, and her left arm was malformed. She never grew beyond 4 feet tall. For that reason, she later became known as “Little Margaret.”

Little Margaret was hidden away for several years by her ashamed parents and later abandoned in a foreign city. Despite having every earthly reason to despair, she became a beacon of joy, mercy, and unwavering faith. Her life is a masterclass in perseverance — not the gritted‑teeth, self‑reliant kind, but the kind that blossoms from trusting God in every circumstance.

I first encountered this amazing woman when one of our grandchildren had experienced pediatric stroke and I was searching the web for a patron saint to whom we could petition for a cure. Margaret of Castello popped up as the patron saint of anyone dealing with physical challenges. She seemed to be the perfect fit for our grandchild’s circumstances, but over time I developed a personal relationship with her that continues today. She is my go-to saint for the countless times I get frustrated by the limitations of my own incapabilities. I have come to think of her as my patron saint of perseverance.

Here are three ways Little Margaret reveals that she has a heart of perseverance.

She Persevered Through Rejection Without Letting Bitterness Take Root

Saint Margaret’s early life reads like a litany of heartbreak, but instead of allowing bitterness to define her, she allowed grace to transform her. She forgave her parents, and she chose love over resentment, trust over despair, and hope over self‑pity.

Perseverance, for Little Margaret, meant refusing to let suffering distort her identity. She knew she was God’s beloved daughter, and she clung to that truth even when the people who should have loved her most failed her. She showed me that perseverance is not just enduring hardship — it’s choosing who we will become because of it.

She Persevered in Service, Even When She Had Nothing to Give Except Herself

Instead of retreating into self-protection, Little Margaret poured herself out to the people she encountered. Despite her disabilities, she became known for her tireless charity: visiting the sick, comforting the dying, teaching children their prayers, and offering spiritual encouragement to anyone who needed it. She had a heart formed by Christ, and she gave it freely.

Little Margaret daily and humbly offered herself and did not wait for ideal conditions to serve. She did not wait to be healed, recognized, or vindicated. She simply loved with the strength she had, trusting that God would multiply it.

She Persevered in Faith, Anchoring Her Identity in God Alone

What has struck me most about Little Margaret’s perseverance is her unwavering faith. She lived in a world that saw her disabilities as a curse, a punishment, or a shame. Yet she never internalized those lies. She knew her dignity came from God, not from human approval.

After some time, Little Margaret was taken in by Dominican nuns and was impressed by their love, tenderness, and holiness. She became a Dominican tertiary and embraced a life of prayer, penance, and deep union with Christ. Her joy was contagious. Her trust was unshakeable. Her faith was so luminous that people sought her counsel, drawn to the peace that radiated from within her.

Little Margaret did not persevere because she was strong — she persevered because she knew her Father was. Her life is a reminder to me that faith is not a feeling but a relationship, one that can sustain me through every trial.

A Saint for Our Time

Through Saint Margaret of Castello, I have learned that life is a testament to the truth and holiness is not hindered by limitations — it is often revealed through them. She has shown me quiet, faithful endurance that keeps choosing love, keeps choosing service, and keeps choosing God. Little Margaret has taught me that the most powerful perseverance is perseverance of heart.

Saint Margaret of Castello, pray for us!

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Copyright 2026 Marge Steinhage Fenelon
Images: (banner) Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix / Alamy Stock Photo; Canva