Saint Margaret of Scotland

Widow and Queen (1045-1093)

Her life

+ Margaret was born in Hungary and was the grand-niece of William the Conqueror. Her father was an exiled Scottish nobleman.

+ In 1057, Margaret’s father returned to Scotland and, around the year 1070, Margaret married King Malcolm III.

+ Margaret was known for her devotion to her eight children and her generosity toward the poor. As queen, she used her influence to guide the Church in Scotland. She convoked a synod to establish regulations for the Lenten fast, Easter communion, and marriage laws.

+ A woman of prayer and devotion, she established and endowed many churches and monasteries.

+ Saint Margaret of Scotland died in 1093 and was canonized in 1250. Since 1673, she has been honored as the patron of Scotland.

For prayer and reflection

“Thus says the LORD:
This is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
breaking every yoke;
Sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own.

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
Your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.”—Isaiah 58:6-8

Prayer

O God,
who made Saint Margaret of Scotland wonderful
in her outstanding charity towards the poor,
grant that through her intercession and example
we may reflect among all humanity
the image of your divine goodness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.