A Valiant Woman

 

Artwork Credit: Ave Maria Press

Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary, and the feast day of a great woman saint who exemplified the woman of Proverbs 31. "Who shall find a valiant woman? Far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her."

King Malcolm III, Margaret's husband, literally could thank the coasts of his native Scotland for bringing Margaret. The British princess, niece of King St. Stephen of Hungary, and her party were shipwrecked in the year 1068, and he offered them hospitality. That is how they met.

Painting of Malcolm meeting Margaret, by artist William Hole

By all accounts, Scotland at that time was barbarian, rough and untamed. Her new husband couldn't even read. But he knew how Margaret loved her illuminated manuscript of the Gospels, so he would kiss it, and once he even absconded with it so as to have his goldsmith and jeweler cover it in gold and jewels and return it to her as a gift. Margaret and Malcolm had six sons and two daughters.

Once a busybody courtier tried to cause trouble between them by telling Malcolm that Margaret was seen to sneak off to a cave and speak to someone, accusing her by implication of unfaithfulness. Malcolm charged over there, sword drawn, but found his wife on her knees in the cave, imploring God for the sanctification of her husband. After that, he punished the meddlesome courtier and was more in love with his sweet wife than ever.

She helped to civilize and convert her adopted country, accomplishing much for the people in the way of a better life both physically and spiritually. At the age of 46, she became very ill, and four days before she died, she received word that her husband and oldest son had been killed in battle.

"The dying queen's reply was a memorable one. Raising her eyes and her hands to Heaven, she exclaimed, 'I return Thee praise and thanks, O Almighty God, for inflicting on me so grievous a calamity in my last moments; it is the effect of Thy Will to purify me, by bearing it, from some sinful imperfections." ~ from Sainted Queens by a secular priest, circa 1900.

Imagine if we could respond that way to suffering in our lives! St. Margaret of Scotland, valiant woman, intercede for us before the Throne of Glory that we may imitate you by bringing God's light and love to those around us!