Saint Margaret of ScotlandQueen of Scotland
Born: 1045
Died: 1093
Canonized: 1250
Patroness of Scotland
The grand-daughter of King Edmund Ironside
of England, daughter of Prince Edward the
Atheling and daughter of Agatha, a Hungarian princess, grand-niece of Saint Stephen of
Hungary, and King Edward the Confessor, Margaret was born in Hungary in 1045 while
her family was there in exile, escaping Danish rule in England. Her family returned to
England when Margaret was about 12 but then had to leave again when she was about 21
to escape the Norman conquest of England. Margaret and her family were members of
Anglo-Saxon royalty which were enemies of the Normans. This time, as they were
sailing again for Hungary, they were shipwrecked off the coast of Scotland.
Margaret and her family were taken in and given refuge by the King of Scotland,
Malcolm III. King Malcolm became quite enchanted with young Margaret and the two
were married about four years later when Margaret was twenty five. Together they had
six sons and two daughters.
Queen Margaret had a big influence on King Malcolm. He was a good man but some
accounts say he was somewhat uncultured. Her dynamic personality helped even out
King Malcolm’s temper. She also helped her husband grow in holiness. Queen Margaret
was strong-willed, but not in an offensive way. She was a woman of great virtue. She did
much to promote Scottish culture and introduced reforms to bring the Scottish church and
some of its liturgical practices more in line with those practiced in Rome. She had a role
in the Scottish church observing regulations for Lenten fasts and Easter communion as
well as marriage laws. Margaret bought chalices and vestments for churches. She
established a workshop in the palace and trained women how to make vestments.
Margaret and her husband built several churches and monasteries. She invited
Benedictine monks to work in Scotland. She and her husband restored a famous old
abbey on Iona, a small island off the coast of Scotland. They built lodgings for pilgrims
to their country. Many pilgrims would come to Scotland to venerate St. Andrew the
Apostle whose bones were said to have been taken after his death to St. Andrew’s,
Scotland. Margaret used her power, wealth, and influence, to better the living conditions
for the poor in Scotland. She would personally visit the poor and the sick and help in their
care. Margaret even washed the feet of those she visited to demonstrate Christian service
and charity. The Queen also had a special love in her heart for orphans and saw to their
care. She often held large feasts where she would invite up to 300 commoners to dine
with her inside the castle. She especially liked doing this around Advent and Lent.
She was a devoted wife and mother, seeing that her children were
properly educated in their Catholic faith. Queen Margaret’s son
David became one of Scotland’s most popular and holy kings in
that country’s history.
With all of her duties as queen, wife and mother, Margaret always
made time for her very deep prayer life. She would also regularly
fast and read the Bible. Her prayer life certainly strengthened her
in all of her activities.
Queen Margaret founded the Holy Trinity Abbey at
Dunfermlinem, Scotland. This abbey became the burial grounds
for Scottish royalty.
In 1093, King Malcolm and his oldest son and heir Edward were
killed in the same battle by foreign enemies. Four days later,
while already on her deathbed from illness, Queen Margaret died at the age of 48 in
Edinburgh castle. She was buried in front of the high altar in Holy Trinity Abbey at
Dunfermlinem.
Her son, King David I, built a small church inside Edinburgh Castle to honor her
memory. It is the oldest building inside the castle and is called St. Margaret’s Chapel.
Queen Margaret of Scotland was canonized in 1250 by Pope Innocent IV
Saint Margaret was proclaimed Patroness of Scotland in 1673 by Pope Clement X
Some things to think about:
Saint Margaret is a very good example of a kind and just ruler. Many of us in life will at
times be in a position of authority over others, i.e. school committees, work, social
organizations, etc. Someday most of us will become parents. Saint Margaret, with all of
her power and influence, taught her children to be holy and just rulers and always made
time to serve those whom she had authority over. We should look to the example of Saint
Margaret and ask her intercession to help us carry out our positions of authority in a
Christ-like manner. We should treat our positions of authority as opportunities for service
and Christian witness. Of course the greatest example of a Christian ruler is none other
than Christ Himself, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Saint Margaret was generous with not only with her money but also with her time.
We all have time, talent and treasure to share with those in need. Pray about ways to
contribute your God-given gifts to make the world better for others. There are a multitude
of charities and organizations that would be grateful for
your help and God will bless you for it. Be sure to give
with a lot of love. Be grateful to God for the opportunity
to serve and bring Christ to others. It is true that in
giving, we actually receive. It’s truly a win-win
situation!
As busy as Saint Margaret was with her duties as Queen
of Scotland, she still placed the highest priority on
continuing to develop spiritually. She made time for
prayer. Many of us live in a very fast-paced life style.
Are we taking time for prayer? A Saint once said we
should take a half-hour per day just for prayer, and if
we’re too busy then we need an hour per day! We must
not let our busy lives prevent our spiritual development.
We must remember to put first things first.
Someday most of our young people will become
parents. Saint Margaret made sure that her children received a very good RELIGIOUS
education. As parents we will be guilty of the worst type of neglect if we neglect looking
after our children’s souls. As parents we must also model Christian behavior. Children
deserve a happy and holy Christian home where the love for Christ comes first, thus
magnifying the love between the family members. Young people – become good
Christian parents!
Resources used: Patron Saint Index, Catholic Encyclopedia, Lives of the Saints Illustrated, Lives
of the Saints – McBrien, Lessons from the Lives of the Saints – Esper, Ordinary People
Extraordinary Lives, St. Patrick’s Church Saints