Happy Feast of Saint Margaret of Scotland!

Today is the feast of Saint Margaret of Scotland. Outside Scotland, it is just an optional memoria but since she is the secondary Patron of Scotland, (behind Saint Andrew, who is Patron), the day has been elevated to a feast for Scottish Catholics. I have a particular affinity to Saint Margaret as my parish is dedicated to her, and it has a beautiful rose window above the altar. My primary school was also called Saint Margaret's, and they even had made up their own song for her. Here is a description of her from Catholic Culture:

She was born in Hungary (1046), where her father was living in exile, and likewise spent her childhood there as an unusually devout and pious girl. In the course of time she went to England, when her father was called to high office in his fatherland by his uncle, King St. Edward III. Fortune, however, soon reversed itself again (Margaret's father died suddenly in 1057), and upon leaving England a mighty storm — or better, divine Providence — brought her to the shores of Scotland. Upon instructions from her mother, Margaret married Malcolm III, king of Scotland, in 1069. The country was blessed by her holy life and by her deeds of charity for the next thirty years. Her eight children she zealously trained in the practice of Christian virtues.
In the midst of royal splendour Margaret chastised her flesh by mortification and vigils and passed the greater part of the night in devout prayer. Her most remarkable virtue was love of neighbour, particularly love toward the poor. Her alms supported countless unfortunates; daily she provided food for three hundred and shared in the work of serving them personally, washing their feet and kissing their wounds.

If you visit Edinburgh Castle, the oldest part of the castle is the Saint Margaret Chapel, build by her fourth son King David (Saint David of Scotland) in the 12th century. Nearby at the other end of the Royal Mile and then across towards Arthur Seat (so not far from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which Saint David also built) is the St Margaret's Well (though this is only a connection in name). After attending Saint Margaret's Primary I then moved on to Saint David's High School, dedicated to her son who also built Newbattle Abbey, in which the old Saint David's High building was situated. Therefore, I feel quite well acquainted with Saint Margaret and her son Saint David!

Tonight, for the Feast of Saint Margaret, I am going to a Sung Mass at the cathedral in Edinburgh. It is being chanted by the Edinburgh Schola whose Patroness is Saint Margaret. I've never been to a mass in the Ordinary Form which has been chanted. It will be an interesting experience, I'm sure.

Saint Margaret, Patroness of Scotland, pray for us!
Saint David, pray for us!
Saint Andrew, pray for us!