St. Margaret of Scotland
Feast 11-16 · Canonized 1250
Patron of
About
Margaret was born around 1045, a princess of the English royal house of Wessex. After the Norman Conquest, her family fled to Scotland, where she married King Malcolm III around 1070.
As queen, Margaret was renowned for her charity and her reform of the Scottish Church. She personally served the poor and orphans each day, washed the feet of beggars, and founded churches, monasteries, and ferries for pilgrims. She also raised her eight children with great care, one of whom, David, became a saintly king.
She died on November 16, 1093, and was canonized in 1250. She is venerated as the patron saint of mothers.
Suggested prayer
O God, who gave St. Margaret of Scotland grace to wash the feet of beggars and feed orphans at her own table, grant through her intercession that mothers and all who hold authority may turn power into charity. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.