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As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
c. 1045 – November 16, 1093
Patron Saint of Scotland, large families, widows, nurses, and expectant mothers
Known as the “Pearl of Scotland,” St. Margaret of Scotland (1045–1093) was a queen whose faith and influence transformed both her family and her nation.
Born in Hungary to the exiled English royal family, she was raised in a devout Christian home. Upon returning to England, St. Margaret’s family was shipwrecked on the coast of Scotland and sought refuge with King Malcolm III, whom St. Margaret later married.
Though she was queen, St. Margaret lived with remarkable humility and piety. Her gentle influence softened her husband’s character, encouraging him to grow in virtue. King Malcolm, known for his strength as a warrior, supported St. Margaret’s efforts to reform the church in Scotland and to teach the Catholic Faith to the people to help them grow in holiness. Together, they built up the religious life of the kingdom and earned the respect of the people as “just rulers.”
St. Margaret was deeply devoted to prayer, fasting, and charitable works. She personally fed the poor before eating herself and founded hostels to feed and house pilgrims and orphans. Her concern for religious education and liturgical reforms brought lasting change to Scotland. She promoted observance of the Church’s feast days, encouraged Sunday rest, and supported reforms that aligned the Scottish Church more closely with the Church in Rome.
In addition to her charitable works, St. Margaret helped establish several churches and monasteries, most notably the Abbey of Dunfermline, where she was buried.
St. Margaret was canonized in 1250. She is honored as the patron saint of Scotland.
St. Margaret’s faith and gentleness encouraged King Malcolm to grow in virtue and to support religious reform throughout Scotland. St. Margaret’s kind nature and good heart also influenced the king’s support for providing charitable services to help the poor.
St. Margaret would read narratives from the Bible to King Malcolm. He admired St. Margaret’s religious devotion so much that he had her books decorated in jewels, gold, and silver. The decorated book of the four Gospels that belonged to St. Margaret is kept at the Bodleian Library in Oxford.
She personally fed the poor every day before she ate, and she washed the feet of the poor in imitation of Christ. She devoted herself to relieving the suffering of those in need through charitable works, including building hospitals for the sick, hostels for pilgrims and orphans, and giving alms to those in need.
St. Margaret established free ferry crossings for pilgrims to help them travel to St. Andrews for religious services. The crossings played a vital role in charitable works and religious reforms. Her commitment to improving the lives of her subjects enhanced the kingdom’s spiritual life and supported the numerous pilgrimages that took place at the time.
St. Margaret promoted liturgical renewal and aligned the practices of the Scottish Church more closely with Rome. Her reforms included the adoption of the Roman liturgical calendar, the proper observance of Sundays, the standardization of the Order of the Mass, and the correction of clerical abuses. She also organized and promoted religious education throughout the kingdom and invited the Benedictines to build a monastery in Dunfermline.
With the help of the future archbishop of Canterbury, St. Margaret strove to conform the worship and practices of the Scottish church to those of the Church in Rome, which she experienced in her childhood. Rising at midnight each night to attend the liturgy, her pious practices had a significant influence on both her family and the kingdom.
This eBook combines stunning photography from EWTN’s Vatican Bureau along with Bible passages and saints’ quotes that will calm your heart, give you hope, and remind you that God is with us always. Simply fill out the form below and we will send this to you!
As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
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