St. Margaret of Scotland
Feast day: November 16
Margaret was born in Hungary to Princess Agatha of Hungary and England’s Prince Edward the Exile around 1045. Her family returned to England when she was 10 years old, but the Norman Conquest forced them into exile in Scotland. There, King Malcolm III gave her and her family shelter. She married King Malcolm in 1070, and they had two daughters and six sons. Margaret was known for her piety and generosity to the poor of Scotland. She also built churches and encouraged practices of religious devotion. Margaret died in 1093, just days after her husband and her eldest son were killed in a battle. She was canonized in 1250. St. Margaret is patron of Scotland.
Collect
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.
