Saint Margaret Clitherow

Biography

Saint Margaret Clitherow, born Margaret Middleton in 1556, was a devout Catholic who became known for her unwavering faith and courageous actions during a time of religious persecution in England. Margaret was the daughter of Thomas and Jane Middleton, a candle maker and the sheriff of York for two years. She was raised Anglican but later converted to Catholicism around 1574.

In 1571, Margaret married John Clitherow, a wealthy butcher and chamberlain of the city of York. Their marriage was blessed with three children, two sons who later became priests, and a daughter who became a nun. Margaret's strong Catholic convictions influenced her entire family, and she actively supported the Catholic faith during a time when it was outlawed in England under Queen Elizabeth I.

Margaret's steadfast commitment to her faith led her to shelter priests, including her husband's brother, who traveled secretly to England to minister to the Catholic population. She also permitted clandestine Masses to be celebrated in her home, ensuring that Catholics could continue to practice their faith in the face of persecution.

Margaret's actions, however, did not go unnoticed by the authorities. She faced imprisonment several times due to her conversion, harboring priests, and facilitating underground Masses. Yet, Margaret remained resolute in her faith, even in the face of great danger.

Ultimately, Margaret's unwavering commitment to Catholicism led to her trial in Tyburn, London, England, on 14 March 1586. Despite the grave charges against her, Margaret refused to answer any of them, fearing that she may incriminate her children and servants. As a result, she was found guilty and sentenced to a brutal form of execution called pressing.

On Good Friday, 25 March 1586, Margaret endured a torturous death. She was pressed to death under a heavy stone slab, a punishment reserved for those who refused to enter a plea during trial. Margaret remained steadfast in her faith until the end, and her courageous martyrdom inspired many Catholics during a time of intense religious persecution in England.

The memory of Saint Margaret Clitherow has been venerated over the centuries, and she is recognized as a patron saint of businesswomen, converts, and martyrs. She is often depicted as an Elizabethan housewife, either kneeling or standing on a heavy wooden door, symbolizing her martyrdom.

Saint Margaret Clitherow was beatified on 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI and canonized on 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI. Her feast day is celebrated on 25 March and is also observed alongside the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales on 25 October. Her right hand is preserved at Saint Mary's Convent, York, serving as a tangible reminder of her unwavering faith and sacrifice.