Saint Margaret of Scotland

Saint Margaret of Scotland

St. Margaret was born in 1045 in Hungary. Her parents were Edward Atheling, heir to the English throne and Princess Agatha of Hungary. She was the English princess. Norman conquered England in 1066 so the family left for the Kingdom of Scotland. In 1070, at the age of 25, Margaret married the king of Scotland, Malcolm Canmore. She was a pious woman, and she established many charity centres. Three of her sons became kings of Scotland and a daughter became a queen of England.

She influenced her husband Malcolm by reading him stories from the Bible. She was concerned about the worship of the church. Her husband and children – especially her youngest son, later David I – also to became just and holy rulers. Queen Margaret was a strong, pure, noble character, who had very great influence over her husband, and through him over Scottish history, especially in ecclesiastical aspects.

She attended to charitable works, serving orphans and the poor every day and washing the feet of the poor in imitation of Christ. She rose at midnight every night to attend church services. She spent much of her time in prayer, devotional reading, and ecclesiastical embroidery.

Her husband, Malcolm III and her eldest son, Edward died in the battle of Alnwick on November 1093. After three days, she too died and was buried in Dunfermline Anney. She was canonized in 1250 by Pope Innocent IV and named patron of Scotland in 1673.

Today she stands as the shinning model for all Christians especially for the mothers.

St. Margaret of Scotland, Pray for us!