Saint Margaret of Hungary
Saint Margaret of Hungary (born January 27, 1242 AD in Klissza (Klis), Dalmatia; died January 18, 1270 AD in Buda, Hungary) was a Hungarian princess, Dominican tertiary, and mystic, the daughter of King Béla IV and Queen Maria Laskarina. She was offered to God by her parents as a penance and thanksgiving for Hungary's deliverance from the Mongol invasion. She spent her life in extraordinary austerity at the Dominican convent on an island in the Danube (now called Margaret Island in her honor) and died at age 28. She was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1943. Her feast day is January 18.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Margaret of Hungary
| Saint Margaret of Hungary | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | January 18 |
| Profession | Dominican nun; tertiary; princess; mystic; penitent |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Dominican Order; Hungary; daughter of King Béla IV; Dominican Convent of the Blessed Virgin, Margaret Island, Budapest |
| Patronage | Hungary; Budapest; Margaret Island; Dominican sisters; those offered to God by their parents; penitents; those who resist political marriage pressure for conscience |
| Attributes | Dominican habit; crown at feet (rejected queenship); Danube River; Margaret Island; lily (purity); penitential instruments |
| Birthplace | Klissza (Klis), Dalmatia (modern Croatia) |
| Death Place | Buda, Hungary (at the Dominican convent on the island in the Danube) |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died January 18, 1270, at age 28, from the physical deterioration caused by her extreme austerities; her body had been worn out by fasting, sleeplessness, and constant labor |
| Primary Shrine | Ruins of the Dominican convent church, Margaret Island, Budapest — her original burial place; a stone statue of her stands on the island; the ruins of her chapel are accessible to visitors; a new parish church nearby preserves the memory |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); January 18; feast in Hungary |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; observed in Hungary |
Biography
Margaret was born on January 27, 1242, at Klis (Klissza) in Dalmatia, where her family had fled the Mongol invasion. Her father, King Béla IV, vowed that if Hungary were delivered from the Mongols he would give this daughter to God. Hungary was delivered, and at age 3 Margaret was brought to the Dominican sisters at Veszprém.
At age 12 she was transferred to a new convent built by her father on an island in the Danube — then called the Island of Rabbits, now called Margaret Island. She made her vows there and spent the rest of her life in the community.
She practiced severe austerities: fasting, hard labor, rough clothing, and minimal sleep. She refused to take any privileges of her royal birth. Both King Ottokar II of Bohemia and Charles of Anjou sought her in marriage; papal legates urged her to accept for political reasons; she refused all offers, and her father eventually accepted her choice.
She died on January 18, 1270, at age 28, worn out by her austerities. Pope Pius XII canonized her in 1943.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Klissza (Klis), Dalmatia (modern Croatia)
Death location: Buda, Hungary (at the Dominican convent on the island in the Danube)
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Margaret of Hungary have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| The Best Example of Honoring Your Parents | St. Margaret of Hungary, | Under 5 minutes | Good Catholic |
| Who Was Saint Margaret of Hungary, the Princess Who Chose God Over a Crown? | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
Shrines
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Known shrines
- Ruins of Dominican convent church, Margaret Island, Budapest — her original burial place and primary memorial site.
Feast day
January 18
Veneration
Saint Margaret of Hungary was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1943. She is the patron of Hungary and one of the most beloved saints of the Hungarian church. Margaret Island in Budapest bears her name.
Prayers
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Intercessory
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