The Pearl of Scotland - November 16

Today’s Readings: Psalm 146:4-9; Proverbs 31:10-20; Matthew 13:44–46

Today’s Reflection

Only twice (so far) have I traveled to Edinburgh. The first time was in 1993, when I was studying abroad for a semester several hours south in Nottingham. Twenty years later I finally made it back, in 2013, when I took time to travel around the UK for a couple weeks while on sabbatical for the semester. My college friend Karen and I visited my old roommate Lisa in Peterborough, explored the Peak District with Lisa and her husband John, and then took off on our own to explore the Lake District and Edinburgh.

Both times I’ve been to Edinburgh I have done what most tourists are sure to do, which is to make the very steep climb up to Edinburgh Castle, which can be seen on its high hill from all around the city. Karen and I explored all the different nooks of the castle, learning about its dramatic history over the years. We took photos of each other outside with the massive canons and with the gorgeous backdrop of the city below, then made our way inside for tea to warm ourselves from the windy, cool fall weather.

One thing we came across in our few hours exploring has always stood out in my memory as very different from everything else a tourist can experience at this massive stone castle. We came across a small stone structure amidst all the buildings within the castle’s protective walls. This small building is called Saint Margaret’s Chapel, named for the Queen Margaret of Scotland, “the Pearl of Scotland,” who with her husband King Malcolm reigned in Scotland from the time of her marriage in 1070 until her death at age 47 in 1093.

This worship space was built in her honor about sixty years later, in 1130, by one of her sons, King David I, making it the oldest surviving structure in Edinburgh. Margaret and Malcolm had two daughters and six sons. Margaret was very devoted to their education as well as to encouraging them in their faith. Together with Malcolm, she paid for rebuilding the Iona Abbey and constructing Dunfermline Abbey, and over the years they were faithful supporters of the Benedictines.

Like the Benedictines, Margaret was a person deeply devoted to prayer and some accounts have it that she participated in the Mass as many as six times per day. She was also known to be a patron of schools and hospitals. Her devotion to sharing what she had extended beyond giving money to good causes to getting out into the community to wash the feet of the poor and break bread with them. As one account of Margaret’s personal piety describes:

“Although she was very much caught up in the affairs of the household and country, she remained detached from the world. Her private life was austere. She had certain times for prayer and reading Scripture. She ate sparingly and slept little in order to have time for devotions. She and Malcolm kept two Lents, one before Easter and one before Christmas. During these times she always rose at midnight for Mass. On the way home she would wash the feet of six poor persons and give them alms. She was always surrounded by beggars in public and never refused them. It is recorded that she never sat down to eat without first feeding nine orphans and 24 adults” (Franciscan Media).

Over time, the chapel built in her memory fell into other uses (like storing gunpowder!). Its original intention to be a chapel was not rediscovered and reembraced until the 1840s. Today, the chapel has been restored, stained glass windows of Margaret and other saints of Scotland were added, and the chapel is used regularly for small weddings and baptism services. The chapel is lovingly maintained by the Saint Margaret Guild, women who all share the name of Margaret and, among other things, make sure that arrangements of fresh flowers adorn the chapel throughout the year.

I found the chapel to be a corner of quiet respite amidst the crowds of tourists meandering through all the other parts of the sprawling castle. Learning Margaret’s story on that windy September day back in 2013 made an impression, and I still have the small book I bought about her that day on my shelf here at Saint Stephen’s. On this day, it’s worthwhile to learn from Margaret’s story of faithful devotion to God, her family, the church, and the wider community, especially her commitment to sharing what she had with those in need.

—Becky+

Collect for the Feast Day of Saint Margaret of Scotland

O God, who called your servant Margaret to an earthly throne that she might advance your heavenly kingdom, and gave her zeal for your church and love for your people: Mercifully grant that we also may be fruitful in good works, and attain to the glorious crown of your saints; though Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 

Questions for Self-Reflection

Who are some figures from the history of the church and the wider world that have inspired you? What about their stories has captured your imagination and inspired you in your own faith?

Daily Challenge

You can read more of Margaret’s journey from Hungary to England and on to become Queen of Scotland here and here.

See photos and read more about Saint Margaret’s Chapel and the Guild who maintain it here.