About St. Margaret of Hungary
St. Margaret of Hungary (1242–1270) was the daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary and Queen Maria Laskarina. Before her birth, her parents vowed to dedicate their child to God if Hungary were delivered from the Mongol invasion. After peace was restored, Margaret was entrusted to the Dominican Sisters while still a young child.
Although born a princess, Margaret chose a life of humility rather than royal privilege. She lived at the Dominican convent on Rabbits’ Island—now known as Margaret Island in Budapest—where she devoted herself to prayer, fasting, acts of penance, and caring for the sick. She repeatedly declined proposals of marriage, remaining faithful to her vow of consecrated virginity.
Renowned for her holiness and charity, St. Margaret became a model of self-denial, obedience, and love for Christ. Many miracles have been attributed to her intercession both during her lifetime and after her death.
She was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1943.
Feast Day: January 18
Patronage: Princesses, the Dominican Order, Hungary, and those seeking purity, humility, and holiness.
Who was St. Margaret of Hungary?
St. Margaret of Hungary was a 13th-century Dominican nun, Hungarian princess, and Catholic saint. She dedicated her life completely to God through prayer, penance, humility, and service to the poor.
What is the St. Margaret of Hungary Novena?
The St. Margaret of Hungary Novena is a traditional nine-day Catholic prayer asking for her intercession to obtain purity of heart, humility, perseverance in prayer, holiness, and fidelity to God’s will.
When is the Feast Day of St. Margaret of Hungary?
The Feast of St. Margaret of Hungary is celebrated each year on January 18.
What is St. Margaret of Hungary the patron saint of?
St. Margaret of Hungary is honored as a patroness of Hungary, the Dominican Order, and is often invoked by those seeking purity, humility, religious vocations, and a deeper life of prayer.
Why is St. Margaret of Hungary important?
St. Margaret is remembered for giving up the comforts of royal life to serve God with extraordinary humility. Her example teaches Catholics that holiness is found not in worldly success but in faithful obedience, sacrifice, and love for Christ.
Who should pray the St. Margaret of Hungary Novena?
This novena is especially appropriate for:
- Those discerning a religious vocation.
- Members of the Dominican family.
- Young women seeking purity and holiness.
- Anyone striving to grow in humility.
- Those seeking perseverance in prayer.
- Anyone desiring to surrender more completely to God’s will.
Can I pray this novena for a special intention?
Yes. Like all Catholic novenas, you may pray this novena for any personal intention, asking God to grant your request through the intercession of St. Margaret of Hungary, according to His holy will.
Why did St. Margaret of Hungary refuse marriage?
Although several royal marriage proposals were offered to her, St. Margaret remained faithful to her vow of consecrated virginity. She believed God had called her to belong entirely to Him and chose the hidden life of a Dominican nun over the privileges of royalty.
| Novena Begins: | January 9 |
| Feast Day: | January 18 |
Patron Saint of: against flood
Day 1: St. Margaret of Hungary Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who called St. Margaret of Hungary to seek You before all else, grant that, serving You through her example and intercession with a pure and humble heart, we may come at last to Your eternal glory.
Through the prayers of St. Margaret, teach us to renounce sin, to embrace humility, and to love You above all earthly things. Help us to remain faithful in prayer, patient in suffering, and generous in serving others.
We humbly ask You to grant the special favor we seek in this novena, if it be according to Your holy Will and for the good of our souls.
(Mention your intention here.)
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Hungary, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
(Prayer adapted from The Roman Missal.)
Day 2: St. Margaret of Hungary Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who called St. Margaret of Hungary to seek You before all else, grant that, serving You through her example and intercession with a pure and humble heart, we may come at last to Your eternal glory.
Through the prayers of St. Margaret, teach us to renounce sin, to embrace humility, and to love You above all earthly things. Help us to remain faithful in prayer, patient in suffering, and generous in serving others.
We humbly ask You to grant the special favor we seek in this novena, if it be according to Your holy Will and for the good of our souls.
(Mention your intention here.)
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Hungary, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
(Prayer adapted from The Roman Missal.)
Day 3: St. Margaret of Hungary Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who called St. Margaret of Hungary to seek You before all else, grant that, serving You through her example and intercession with a pure and humble heart, we may come at last to Your eternal glory.
Through the prayers of St. Margaret, teach us to renounce sin, to embrace humility, and to love You above all earthly things. Help us to remain faithful in prayer, patient in suffering, and generous in serving others.
We humbly ask You to grant the special favor we seek in this novena, if it be according to Your holy Will and for the good of our souls.
(Mention your intention here.)
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Hungary, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
(Prayer adapted from The Roman Missal.)
Day 4: St. Margaret of Hungary Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who called St. Margaret of Hungary to seek You before all else, grant that, serving You through her example and intercession with a pure and humble heart, we may come at last to Your eternal glory.
Through the prayers of St. Margaret, teach us to renounce sin, to embrace humility, and to love You above all earthly things. Help us to remain faithful in prayer, patient in suffering, and generous in serving others.
We humbly ask You to grant the special favor we seek in this novena, if it be according to Your holy Will and for the good of our souls.
(Mention your intention here.)
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Hungary, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
(Prayer adapted from The Roman Missal.)
Day 5: St. Margaret of Hungary Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who called St. Margaret of Hungary to seek You before all else, grant that, serving You through her example and intercession with a pure and humble heart, we may come at last to Your eternal glory.
Through the prayers of St. Margaret, teach us to renounce sin, to embrace humility, and to love You above all earthly things. Help us to remain faithful in prayer, patient in suffering, and generous in serving others.
We humbly ask You to grant the special favor we seek in this novena, if it be according to Your holy Will and for the good of our souls.
(Mention your intention here.)
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Hungary, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
(Prayer adapted from The Roman Missal.)
Day 6: St. Margaret of Hungary Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who called St. Margaret of Hungary to seek You before all else, grant that, serving You through her example and intercession with a pure and humble heart, we may come at last to Your eternal glory.
Through the prayers of St. Margaret, teach us to renounce sin, to embrace humility, and to love You above all earthly things. Help us to remain faithful in prayer, patient in suffering, and generous in serving others.
We humbly ask You to grant the special favor we seek in this novena, if it be according to Your holy Will and for the good of our souls.
(Mention your intention here.)
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Hungary, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
(Prayer adapted from The Roman Missal.)
Day 7: St. Margaret of Hungary Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who called St. Margaret of Hungary to seek You before all else, grant that, serving You through her example and intercession with a pure and humble heart, we may come at last to Your eternal glory.
Through the prayers of St. Margaret, teach us to renounce sin, to embrace humility, and to love You above all earthly things. Help us to remain faithful in prayer, patient in suffering, and generous in serving others.
We humbly ask You to grant the special favor we seek in this novena, if it be according to Your holy Will and for the good of our souls.
(Mention your intention here.)
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Hungary, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
(Prayer adapted from The Roman Missal.)
Day 8: St. Margaret of Hungary Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who called St. Margaret of Hungary to seek You before all else, grant that, serving You through her example and intercession with a pure and humble heart, we may come at last to Your eternal glory.
Through the prayers of St. Margaret, teach us to renounce sin, to embrace humility, and to love You above all earthly things. Help us to remain faithful in prayer, patient in suffering, and generous in serving others.
We humbly ask You to grant the special favor we seek in this novena, if it be according to Your holy Will and for the good of our souls.
(Mention your intention here.)
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Hungary, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
(Prayer adapted from The Roman Missal.)
Day 9: St. Margaret of Hungary Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who called St. Margaret of Hungary to seek You before all else, grant that, serving You through her example and intercession with a pure and humble heart, we may come at last to Your eternal glory.
Through the prayers of St. Margaret, teach us to renounce sin, to embrace humility, and to love You above all earthly things. Help us to remain faithful in prayer, patient in suffering, and generous in serving others.
We humbly ask You to grant the special favor we seek in this novena, if it be according to Your holy Will and for the good of our souls.
(Mention your intention here.)
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Margaret of Hungary, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
(Prayer adapted from The Roman Missal.)
Leave us your prayers…