The Feast Day of St. Margaret of Scotland
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
On Sunday, we have the great delight of celebrating the feast day of St. Margaret of Scotland, the patron of our parish. It is sad that we cannot celebrate in the way we’re used to—with a bagpipe procession and a wonderful party in the parish hall. But, after all, as enjoyable as that is, that’s not really the reason this day is so important.
I have to ask the question: WHY was this parish named after St. Margaret? I wasn’t around when the founders chose this patron saint. And I’d absolutely love to hear what the reasoning was, if any of you know that. Of course, both as a woman and as the child of the Scottish Clan Keith, I’m thrilled to serve a parish named after one of the greatest Queens of Scotland.
Among other reasons, parishes are dedicated to patron saints because they give us a witness about how to live in Christ. So as we learn about St. Margaret’s life and work, we should be asking ourselves, “What would St. Margaret Do?”
St. Margaret would support the poor. St. Margaret would support education and especially reading. St. Margaret would see that the sick are cared for. St. Margaret would make sure that there was time for prayer and worship. St. Margaret would insist that the connection to the larger Christian community be strong. St. Margaret would encourage the raising up of new clergy. St. Margaret would send missionaries and Christian emissaries to the wider world. St. Margaret would invite Benedictines from outside her kingdom to start new monastic groups.
Does any of this sound at all familiar to you? I am smiling broadly as I write to you. On a whim, I began listing what St. Margaret is known for and what our parish is involved in. Imagine my surprise to see so many one-to-one connections! Especially the one about inviting Benedictines…
The work of hospitality, generosity, and faith that St. Margaret started was never finished in her lifetime. Actually, it’s still going on in the world today. And naturally, we know that there are many opportunities open for our own church. Turn on the news or walk through town with open eyes. And ask yourselves, “What would Margaret see?”
Although this year we can’t celebrate St. Margaret’s Day in person in the festive manner we’re used to, we can continue celebrating in a manner that would really matter to her. Keep on doing what you are called to do; increase the fervency of your prayer; be creative about new possibilities in a world that is changing rapidly.
Let us pray: O God, you gave to your servant Margaret such faithfulness as Queen of Scotland that she cared for the poor and relieved the needs of those who lay in prison. Grant us a like devotion, whatever the service to which you call us, that we may be agents of your justice and true servants of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. AMEN.
[Prayer is taken from For All the Saints: Prayers and Readings for Saints’ Days According to the Calendar of the Book of Alternative Services of the Anglican Church of Canada]
Joy!
Mo. Laura
View our Virtual Service on YouTube
(Available 9:00 AM the Day Of and Thereafter)