Sinclair, Margaret

SINCLAIR, MARGARET. - In religion Maria Francesca of the Five Wounds, b. in Edinburgh on 25 March 1900, d. in London on 24 Nov. 1925.

Her devotion to the Eucharist was characteristic of her from girlhood; she visited the Blessed Sacrament as often as possible; as a factory worker and shop assistant, in order not to deprive herself of daily Communion, she often gave up breakfast so as not to be late for work; even in Protestant circles, which could have caused her considerable trouble, she always wore prominently on her chest the H. B. S. badge ("Hand-maid of the Blessed Sacrament"). To help her poor family, she had to take employment from the age of 14; but always, in the various circles, even hostile ones, she won the esteem of a saint. In 1923 she entered as a coadjutrix sister among the Poor Clares of London; but she lasted only a short time in the monastery, because she had to be transferred (May 1925) to the Warley sanatorium for tuberculosis of the larynx, which brought her to her end after a few months. After her death, the graces and extraordinary events attributed to her intercession multiplied to such an extent as to make her compared to little Thérèse of Lisieux. The cause of beatification was introduced on 15 Feb. 1942.