Saint Margaret: Christian, Queen, Wife, Mother

Today, we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Margaret of Scotland. Her story reads like a fairytale-complex with political intrigue, an urgent escape and exile from her homeland, a ship blown off course in a storm, a shipwreck, a new life in a remote country, and then a proposal of marriage by a widower king with two sons. As if this weren’t enough, Margaret also led a long life devoted to her faith and influential religious rule. 

It is Saint Margaret’s life as a wife and mother that has drawn her into my circle of favorite patron saints. Many of our Saints come from single and celibate lives, but Saint Margaret was a woman not only devoted to the people in her jurisdiction, but also devoted to her family. Her love and compassion were both abundant and far-reaching. She embodied her faith through meaningful acts of service and was a woman of devout prayer. 

Born in Hungary to parents of noble status around 1045 CE, Margaret’s childhood was fraught with uncertainty. Her family fled Hungary for asylum in England for a season before another escape and exile. A storm would take their ship off course to Scotland to a location now called Saint Margaret’s Hope. This story diversion provided a future Queen of Scotland. 

Malcolm III, the King of Scotland, fell in love with Margaret, a devoutly religious princess who took refuge in his court and kingdom. They married in 1070 and Margaret’s influence on her husband was far-reaching. The couple would have six sons and two daughters, one of whom would one day become King David of Scotland. Margaret is known for her piety. She spent her time in prayer and ecclesiastical embroidery. Malcolm enjoyed listening to her tell the stories from the Bible, as he was illiterate. Margaret helped the poor and would wash the feet of those in need. Her motive was to be like Jesus. She would be instrumental in making sure that the pilgrims who came to Scotland were given safe passage.

Fast-forward 1500 years to the October Homecoming Pep Rally at Saint Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, Southern California. This school was founded in 1979 by a priest who was committed to Christian education. The school mascot, “Tartan Warrior” wore his school uniform and kilt, he carried the flag of Scotland through the gymnasium. Students cheered as he waved the blue and white flag. As an educator sitting in the bleachers, I thought about Saint Andrew’s Cross depicted on Scotland’s flag.

I wonder what Saint Margaret would think about her legacy. Would she find these traces of Scottish heritage endearing? Her name written on every uniform? Perhaps Queen Margaret would appreciate that the cloth appliqué on the banner depicts her holding a Eucharistic wafer to symbolize her fervent interests in liturgy. She was called the “Pearl of Scotland,” so she also may appreciate the crown theme central to homecoming week.

Young students meet with the upper school “buddies” to decorate paper crowns—bejeweling them with the colors of red, green, yellow, and blue. I think Margaret would be pleased to know that at this school bearing her name, there is a Director of Inclusion staff member whose job focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This school embraces the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and supports communities in need. 

Leadership is a core value at Saint Margaret’s, and students are regularly reminded to embody the leadership qualities of integrity, honesty, and compassion. Before she was canonized as a Saint, Margaret was known as a queen. Margaret would find a long-lasting monarchy carrying out her vision for God’s kingdom on earth, echoed in the Lord’s Prayer. “Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” Unfortunately, her rule would come to an end when her beloved husband went into battle for the last time. He would die as a warrior king along with their eldest son Edward at the Battle of Alnwick in 1093. Upon hearing this news of the death of her husband and son, Margaret was stricken with grief and died on November 16, 1093. She was laid to rest just four days after the death of Malcom. Saint Margaret of Scotland paved the way for all of us who live lives with family members. She demonstrates how we can continue doing what God has called us to do as individuals, while also keeping our roles as spouse, partner, parent, and friend.