St. Margaret of Scotland
Contents
Show HideSt. Margaret of Scotland was an English princess who lived in the 1000s. She became a Scottish queen.
St. Margaret of Scotland lived in a time of great political unrest. She was well-known for her charitable works.
You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy woman in your life!
About St. Margaret of Scotland
St. Margaret of Scotland was born around the year 1045, in Hungary. Her mother and father were an English princess and prince. She had one brother and one sister.
When Margaret was ten years old, her family returned to England because her father was in line for the throne. But her father died shortly after the family’s arrival in England.
In 1066, Margaret’s mother brought Margaret and her siblings north to flee from political turmoil. Tradition says that Margaret’s mother eventually decided to bring her children back to continental Europe, but their ship was caught in a storm on the way there. They were shipwrecked in Scotland in 1068.
The Scottish King, Malcolm Canmore III, welcomed Margaret’s family. Before long, he fell in love with Margaret who was now in her twenties. In 1070, Margaret married him.
Margaret and Malcolm eventually had two daughters and six sons. They raised their children in the Catholic Faith and worked to make their daily life together holy. The two of them often prayed together and made a practice of caring for the poor.
Margaret had a great influence on the kingly reign of her husband. Her kindness and gentleness helped him to calm his temper and rule the country virtuously. She led all domestic affairs in their home, and her husband often consulted with her over governmental matters.
Margaret had a lasting effect on Scotland. She promoted education, put great effort into caring for the needy, and encouraged others to grow in holiness. She also did what she could to help bring about needed reform within the Church in areas of abuse.
Additionally, Margaret worked to help build churches. The Abbey of Dunfermline, where a relic of the True Cross is held, was built partially because of Margaret’s efforts.
Margaret devoted her life to prayer and penitential practices. She fasted often and slept little, spending hours in prayer.
Margaret’s husband Malcolm greatly admired her holy practices. He was so impressed with her holiness that he had some of her books decorated with gold, silver, and jewels.
Margaret’s husband and their oldest son died 1093 at the Battle of Alnwick. At the time, Margaret was already ill. She was also frail because of her many ascetical practices. She died four days later.
When Margaret was canonized in 1250, Pope Innocent IV noted her life of extraordinary virtue.
St. Margaret of Scotland’s Feast Day: November 16th
Why Pray the St. Margaret of Scotland Novena?
St. Margaret of Scotland is the patron saint of Scotland. You can ask her to pray for you if you live in Scotland or are planning to travel to Scotland. You can also ask her to pray for someone you know who lives in Scotland or is traveling there, or you can ask her to pray for those governing Scotland.
Additionally, St. Margaret is a great saint to seek prayers from on behalf of government officials, since she had a great influence on her husband’s rule and helped him to lead his people virtuously.
You can pray the St. Margaret of Scotland Novena for any intention!
St. Margaret of Scotland Prayers
St. Margaret of Scotland - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Scotland as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You she showed throughout her whole life.
St. Margaret of Scotland, you were raised in the Catholic Faith by your parents. Though you did not have the benefit of a stable family life after your father died when you were ten, you served God faithfully.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served!
You grew to become a very holy woman in your adulthood. Your holiness made a great impact on Scotland and the Church.
Pray for me, that I may strive to be as faithful a servant of God as you were. Pray that I may always seek to carry out God’s will in my life, no matter what difficulties I might face.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Scotland, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Scotland - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Scotland as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue she showed in holding fast to her Faith even in times of great difficulty.
St. Margaret of Scotland, your father died when you were ten years old. Then, your family faced more suffering when you were forced to flee from political turmoil. Despite your sufferings, you persevered in serving God.
Please persevere in bringing my petitions before God!
Tradition says that your mother decided to bring you and your siblings back to continental Europe, and that you were shipwrecked in Scotland. God then used you as an instrument to bring about a lot of good in Scotland.
Pray for me, that I may always be open to God’s will in my life. Pray that I may persevere in serving God despite any hardships I might face.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Scotland, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Scotland - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Scotland as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You she showed in remaining faithful amidst suffering.
St. Margaret of Scotland, tradition says that you and your family were caught in a storm and shipwrecked on Scotland while you tried to travel back to continental Europe. Though this must have been very difficult for you, you remained faithful.
Please bring my petitions before God with such faithfulness!
When you arrived in Scotland, the Scottish king fell in love with you and wanted to marry you. The two of you married and lived a holy married life that glorified God and brought about a lot of good.
Pray for me, that I may always remain faithful to God no matter what sufferings I might endure. Pray that I may never waver in my devotion to God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Scotland, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Scotland - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Scotland as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue she showed in her holy influence upon her husband’s kingly reign.
St. Margaret of Scotland, you married the king of Scotland as a young woman. Though he often had difficulty keeping his temper in check, you did all you could to influence him for the better.
Please do all you can to bring my petitions before God!
Your husband greatly respected your abilities and consulted you often about political matters. Your influence helped him to lead the country with virtue.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to do all I can to influence those around me for good. Pray that I may be eager to glorify God in all areas of my life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Scotland, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Scotland - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Scotland as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You she showed in her holy influence upon her husband.
St. Margaret of Scotland, you married King Malcolm Canmore III of Scotland. As his wife, you were able to help influence him for the better in many ways. The two of you sought to serve God faithfully through your marriage.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so faithfully!
Your gentleness and kindness helped King Malcom to calm his temper and to rule the country virtuously. You did all you could to help your husband be holy.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to help others grow in holiness. Pray that I may do all I can to bring others closer to God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Scotland, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Scotland - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Scotland as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You she showed in working to bring about Church reform.
St. Margaret of Scotland, you began to take part in the government of Scotland after you married King Malcolm Canmore III. You were eager to do all you could to serve God in this role.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so eagerly!
You helped your husband to rule virtuously, and you devoted yourself to serving God and His Church. You helped to bring about much needed reform in many areas of the Church.
Pray for me, that I may always be ready to serve God in whatever ways He calls me to. Pray that I may be eager to put my gifts to use for the Church.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Scotland, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Scotland - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Scotland as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue she showed in working to care for the needs of the poor.
St. Margaret of Scotland, you and your husband worked to grow in holiness through your marriage. The two of you often prayed together and made a practice of caring for the poor out of love for God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved so dearly!
Your many holy practices had a great influence on your husband and helped him to lead his country as virtuously as possible.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to care for others in need around me. Pray that I may grow in charity towards others, out of love for God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Scotland, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Scotland - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Scotland as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You she showed in her many penitential practices.
St. Margaret of Scotland, you worked diligently at growing in holiness throughout your life and especially during your marriage. You prayed frequently, practiced penance, and did holy works out of a deep love for God.
Please continue to bring my petitions before God Whom you loved!
You fasted often, slept little, and spent hours in prayer. You devoted your life to ascetical practices and to serving God in whatever ways you were able to.
Pray for me, that I may serve God as eagerly as you did. Pray that I may grow in a spirit of holy penance out of love for God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Scotland, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Scotland - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Margaret of Scotland as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You she showed in devoting her life to You and Your Church.
St. Margaret of Scotland, you helped your husband to rule Scotland virtuously during your marriage. You also worked to do all the good you could for the Church in your country and to serve God faithfully.
Please bring my petitions before God with such faithfulness!
You helped to build churches and to bring about much needed Church reform. You did all you could to serve God and His Church.
Pray for me, that I may be as faithful a servant of God and His Church as you were. Pray that I may always be eager to carry out God’s will in my life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Margaret of Scotland, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.