Saint of the Day: St. 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

Spiritual bonus

On November 16 we also remember Saint Edmund Rich. A priest, scholar, and professor of art, mathematics, philosophy, and theology at the University of Oxford, he became known for both his scholarship and gifts for preaching. He was consecrated as archbishop of Canterbury in 1234 and served as an advisor to King Henry III and supported the kind’s efforts to implement the Magna Carta. Remembered his commitment to Church reform and as a promoter of peace, he died November 16, 1240, in Soissy, France, while traveling to see the Pope on behalf of Henry III. Saint Edmund Rich (who is also known as Edmund of Abingdon) was canonized in 1247.

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,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)

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