Saint Margaret of Scotland
Patron of Altar Boys & Girls, Invoked for Courage & Heroism, Invoked Against Bullying
Feast Day: August 15th
She was born in the 12th Century, in Hungary. She was exiled after the conquest of England by the Normans. A storm wound up diverting their ship to Scotland and she later became known as the “Pearl of Scotland.” She was a niece of Saint Stephen and another Uncle was Edward the Confessor. While married in Scotland to King Malcolm III, she had 6 children; hence her name is often associated those from larger families. She was very well-read and wrote a Book on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The book was lost in a river, yet long after, recovered virtually intact! It is available for viewing to this day on Oxford. She led the people of Scotland in effort to build the Abbey of Dunfermline, and other churches in Scotland as well. She led a pious life and was known for helping the poor and those afflicted with illness. She is said to have known the date of her death, which occurred only days after the death of her husband in battle. In the 13th Century she was Canonized by Pope Innocent IV and she is forever revered in Scotland as one who offers help to the oppressed, known as Saint Margaret’s Hope.© 2016