MARGHERITA da RAVENNA, blessed. - B. at Russi (Faenza) in 1442, d. at Ravenna on 23 Jan. 1505. Blind from the age of two, from childhood she led a life of harsh penance and contemplation. Feast day: 23 Jan.
For fourteen years she endured with admirable patience a grievous illness and was subjected to harsh treatment by malicious persons who accused her of hypocrisy. Once her sincerity and holiness of life had been recognized, not a few of the faithful placed themselves under her guidance, thus beginning the Confraternity of the Good Jesus, for which she prescribed the rules, based above all on penance and charity toward one’s neighbour. After the death of b. M., her disciple b. Gentile, with the help of Fr Gerolamo Maluselli, drew from the Confraternity the Congregation of the Regular Clerics of the Good Jesus.