Margaret Sinclair “Edinburgh Wonder Worker”

Margaret was born in 1900 and lived in Blackfriars Street and was the third child of a dustman. She went to St Ann’s school and then went on to gain a certificate in sewing cookery and dressmaking at Edinburgh School of Cookery and Domestic Economy.

At home she helped look after the other children.

She became a French Polisher but when the firm closed she went to work in a biscuit factory. Soon afterwards she decided to become a nun of the Order of Poor Clares in London. She died of TB at 25.

She was buried in London, but her picture was hung in Leeds Cathedral.

Jimmy Saville suffered a serious fall when a child. His mother feared for his life and went to prey at Leeds Cathedral. She saw the picture and preyed to Margaret Sinclair. Jimmy recovered. She informed the Catholic Church. Over the years many cures have been attributed to prayers to Margaret and she has gained a special place in the lives of the faithful in Edinburgh.

Margaret was made the venerable Margaret in 1978 and her remains brought back to Edinburgh. If she becomes a saint, she will be the second Saint Margaret in Scotland and the first working class woman Saint.

Link to St Patrick's church site.

Link to daily Telegraph article