Too Busy with Two Kids?

Let us love one another. For this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning, in which you should walk. (2 John 1:5b-6)

Modern family has become more busy and busier. Between school, activities, private lessons, and sports for the kids, and work, PTA, and other commitments for parents, time is precious! If you are too busy and have no time for God or to teach your children with Christian virtues, it’s time to re-evaluate your priorities. St. Margaret of Scotland, patron saints of large families, whose feast we celebrate today. Her life’s story may inspire us how to walk faithfully with our God. While fleeing the invading army of William the Conqueror in 1066, her family's ship wrecked on the Scottish coast. They were assisted by King Malcolm III Canmore of Scotland, whom Margaret married in 1070. They had eight children including two saints. Founded abbeys and used her position as queen of Scotland to work for justice and improved conditions for the poor. Feast day, Nov. 16.

Margaret was an English princess born in 1045. She and her mother sailed to Scotland to escape the king who had conquered their land. King Malcolm of Scotland welcomed them. He fell in love with the beautiful princess. Margaret and Malcolm were married before long.

As queen, Margaret changed her husband and the country for the better. Malcolm was good, but he and his court were very rough. When he saw how wise his wife was, he willingly listened to her good advice. Margaret helped him control his temper and practice the Christian virtues. She made the court beautiful and civilized. The king and queen were wonderful examples because of the way they prayed together and treated each other. They fed crowds of poor people. They tried very hard to imitate Jesus in their own lives.

Margaret was a blessing for all the people of Scotland. Before she came, there was great ignorance. Many people had bad habits that kept them from growing closer to God. Margaret worked hard to obtain good teachers and she encouraged education. She and Malcolm had new churches built. She loved to make the churches beautiful to honor God. In fact, Queen Margaret embroidered some of the priests’ vestments herself.

Margaret and Malcolm had six sons and two daughters. They loved all their children very much. The youngest boy became St. David. But Margaret had sorrows, too. In her last illness, she learned that both her husband and her son, Edward, had been killed in battle. She died four days later, on November 16, 1093. Margaret was proclaimed a saint by Pope Innocent IV in 1250. (Saint A Day)

St. Margaret shows us the importance of doing the right things for the right reasons. Her good example was a genuine reflection of her faith in Jesus. Her good deeds weren’t done to win praise. She did what was right in order to please Jesus. We can ask her to help us do the same.

Prayer of St. Margaret of Scotland

O God, you 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.

Oh Blessed and Immaculate Virgin, our Queen and Mother, refuge and consolation of all those who are in misery, I, prostrate before thy throne with all my family, choose thee for my Lady, Mother, and Advocate with God. I, with all who belong to me, dedicate myself forever to thy service, and pray thee, oh Mother of God, to receive us into the number of thy servants, taking us all under thy protection, aiding us in life, and still more, at the hour of our death. Oh Mother of Mercy, I choose thee Lady and ruler of my whole house, of my relatives, my interests, and all my affairs. Do not disdain to take care of them; dispose of them all as it pleases thee. Bless me, then, and all my family, and do not permit that any of us should offend thy Son. Do thou defend us in temptations, deliver us from dangers, provide for us in our necessities, counsel us in our doubts, console us in afflictions, be with us in sickness, and especially in the agonies of death. Do not permit the devil to glory in having in his chains any of us who are now consecrated to thee; but grant that we may come to thee in heaven to thank thee, and together with thee to praise and love our Redeemer Jesus for all eternity. Amen, thus may it be. (Dedication of a Family to Mary composed by St. Alphonsus Liguori)

Hail Mary full of grace…

Peace in Christ,
Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen

P.S.
Please Join us TODAY 7:00 PM! At St. Clare, Houston
Through Adoration, Prayer and Anointing of the Sick, we will remember those who have died and pray for those in need of physical, mental, or spiritual healing or are grieving a loss.