Faith and Family: The National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland

In the tapestry of Catholic heritage in America, few organizations blend spiritual devotion, charitable service, and genealogy as seamlessly as the National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland. Named after one of the most revered queens in Christian history, this guild upholds her legacy of piety, leadership, and compassion—providing a community for Catholic women dedicated to faith, service, and tradition.

The National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland has quietly played a vital role in promoting Christian values, supporting charitable works, and honoring a saint whose life bridged royal responsibility and humble service.

Who Was Saint Margaret of Scotland?

Before delving into the guild itself, it’s important to understand the figure it honors. Saint Margaret of Scotland (c. 1045–1093), an English princess and later queen consort of Scotland, was known for her intelligence, humility, and devotion to the Church.

Born in exile in Hungary and raised in the English court, Margaret married King Malcolm III of Scotland and became a driving force behind the reform of the Scottish Church. She promoted education, monastic life, and care for the poor, founding churches, advocating for women and children, and setting a model of Christian queenship.

She was canonized in 1250 by Pope Innocent IV and is the patroness of Scotland, as well as a patron saint of widows, large families, and charitable women.

Formation of the National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland

The National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland was formally established in 1975 and reorganized in 2011. The Guild is founded upon the principles of strong family ties, the enrichment of the domestic life and arts, the obligation of doing charitable deeds and the duty of women in general in the upholding of high moral and spiritual values for the betterment of all mankind.

Mission and Activities

The Guild encourages the study and acquisition of historical and genealogical knowledge relating to both the times and that of the guild’s forebears by discovering, procuring, preserving and perpetuating whatever may relate to history, genealogy and all related fields of interests; to study social mores of the past and present as well as topics of general interest; to promote and aid in the education of the members especially in the realm of the interest of the history of both the United States of America and the British Isles.

Saint Margaret’s Enduring Influence

Saint Margaret’s influence endures in both spiritual and cultural spheres:

Churches and schools across the U.S. bear her name, including Saint Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL;
She is often invoked as a model of Catholic womanhood, particularly for wives, mothers, and civic leaders;
Her feast day (November 16) is celebrated in parishes with Scottish heritage, often with special Masses and charitable outreach.

Conclusion

In a world seeking role models of humility and strength, Saint Margaret offers a radiant example. And through the women of her guild, her legacy of love for God and neighbor endures. The National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland was founded upon the life of St. Margaret of Scotland, encourages men, women and children to honor her life of service, prayer, and purpose.