Saint Kinga

Biography

Saint Margaret of Hungary, also known as Margherita and Marguerite, was born in 1242 in Hungary. She was the daughter of King Bela IV of Hungary and Marie Laskaris, and she was the grand-daughter of the Byzantine emperor. Margaret's birth was marked by a significant event in her country's history - the liberation of Hungary from the Tatars. When Margaret was born, her parents made a promise to God, pledging their next child to religious life. To fulfill this promise, Margaret was placed in a Dominican convent at Veszprem, Hungary, at the tender age of three. In the convent, she was placed under the care of Blessed Helen of Hungary, who served as her novice mistress. At the age of ten, Margaret transferred to the convent of the Blessed Virgin. This convent was founded by her own parents on the Hasen Insel near Buda, and it would become her home for the rest of her life. Margaret's life took an unexpected turn when her father arranged a marriage for her with King Ottokar II of Bohemia. However, she firmly refused this arrangement, choosing instead to dedicate her life entirely to God. At the age of eighteen, she took solemn vows as a Dominican nun. Saint Margaret of Hungary was known for her intense piety and her severe self-imposed penances. She had a deep devotion to God and a genuine love for her fellow human beings, especially those of lower social status. Margaret often demonstrated acts of kindness and compassion towards them, showing them the love of Christ through her actions. Throughout her life, numerous miracles were attributed to Saint Margaret. The official investigation for her canonization identified 27 miracles, including remarkable healings and even a case of awakening from death. In artistic depictions, Saint Margaret is often represented as a Dominican holding a lily and a book. She is sometimes portrayed as a princess with a lily, symbolizing her royal ancestry combined with her commitment to a religious life. Another popular representation shows her as a Dominican in prayer, with a globe of fire hovering above her head, symbolizing her deep spirituality and connection to God. Saint Margaret of Hungary passed away on 18th January 1271 in Budapest, Hungary. Her relics were given to the Poor Clares at Pozsony (modern Bratislava, Slovak Republic) when the Dominican Order in the area was dissolved. Unfortunately, most of her relics were destroyed in 1789, but some fragments are still preserved at Gran, Gyor, and Pannonhalma in Hungary. In recognition of her holiness and the miracles attributed to her intercession, Saint Margaret was beatified by Pope Pius VI on 28th July 1789. She was later canonized as a saint by Pope Pius XII on 19th November 1943. Saint Margaret of Hungary is honored as the patron saint against floods. Her life serves as an inspiration to people of all social backgrounds, reminding us of the importance of faith, selflessness, and dedication to God in our daily lives.