Prayers for Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV presides over the Mass of Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry in St Peter’s Square at 9:00am (UK) this Sunday morning. We all join in prayer that the Lord will give him the grace to be a true shepherd to us and an authentic witness to Christ in the world.
Cathedral Roof Appeal
Our beautiful Cathedral is facing a considerable challenge. Substantial works are urgently required to repair leaking roofs in the short term and to bring the buildings up to good condition over the next five years. If you are able to help with any donation to the roof appeal, large or small, we will be most grateful. Visit bit.ly/RoofAppeal25 and remember to Gift Aid it if you are a UK taxpayer. With many thanks and every blessing.
Young Adults Group Next Series: ‘Figures of My Faith’
Our Young Adults Group meets on Tuesday 20th May for our next talk in the series, ‘Figures of My Faith’ - talks by young adults focusing on influential figures in their faith journeys. David Wilson will speak about St. Oscar Romero. All those aged 18+ are welcome to the weekly meetings. As usual, we meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for teas/coffees and for the talk at 7.30pm. Each session concludes with Night Prayer and the chance to meet up at a local pub.
The Mass: A Window to Heaven
Join us Wednesday 21 May at Ravelston for our next meeting in our weekly series of viewing Bishop Barron’s videos on the Mass followed by discussion. This week’s video is “Responding to God.” The Religious Sisters of Mercy will lead the session, which is open to all and a great way to learn more about the celebration central to our faith. We will meet in the rooms at St Andrew’s, Ravelston EH4 3DS following the Rosary after the 6:00pm Mass. Before Mass there will be our Wednesday 5:00pm Adoration & Confessions. Why not make some time to pray with Jesus in Adoration, before finding out more about the Mass? Watch the trailer at https://bit.ly/TheMass-Trailer. Refreshments will be served. To register, please email the office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 21 May, at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place The Catenians are an international body of Catholic laymen who meet once a month and offer friendship and support to Catholic men and their families at all stages of their lives. For information 01555 728032 or look on https://thecatenians.com/become-a-member/
Holy Hour & Reflection
7:00pm Thursday: ‘The Theme of Hope in the Rosary’
This Thursday, 22nd May at 7:00pm join us for our concluding Marian Holy Hour in the Cathedral with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praying of the Rosary and a reflection on Our Lady. Deacon Peter will speak on ‘The Theme of Hope in the Rosary’. Come and spend some time in prayer before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. All are invited to join us!
Calling all Singers: Open Rehearsal of the 9am Sunday Choir on Wednesday, 28th May
The 9am Sunday choir is looking for new members. If you are interested in joining this friendly group, or if you are simply curious about what goes on behind the scenes, you are warmly invited to an open rehearsal on Wednesday 28th May at 7:30pm in the Cathedral. Why not come along and give it a try!
Children's Summer Course for Sacramental Preparation
If you are living within the boundaries of the Cathedral and St. Andrew’s, Ravelston Parish and have children of school age in need of sacramental preparation and who have either not been baptised or are not in Catholic schools and have therefore missed preparation to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation or Holy Communion/Confirmation, please contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. Depending on the level of interest, we may be able to offer a summer course on Saturday afternoons for children in need of sacramental preparation. If you have questions, please let us know.
Mass for Married & Engaged Couples
The annual Archdiocesan Mass for Married Couples (and those preparing for marriage) takes place at 7:15pm on Tuesday 27 May at St Mary's Cathedral. Archbishop Cushley will be the principal celebrant and will give a blessing to couples.
Iona of the East: A Parish Pilgrimage
You don’t have to travel great distances to go on pilgrimage, especially when so many places with great history in the faith exist on your doorstep. Inchcolm island, standing in the Firth of Forth, has historical connections to the faith with St Columba reported to have visited in the 6th century, hence the name. The abbey was established in the 13th century and now it serves as a peaceful place of pilgrimage. The parish pilgrimage will travel to the island on Saturday 30th August on the 1030 sailing from South Queensferry. We will celebrate Mass in the abbey and have time for lunch as well as an exploration of the island, before returning to the mainland in the afternoon. Please plan to make your own way to the pier for the ferry. Book your place by visiting https://bit.ly/InchcolmPilgrimage25. Ticket prices include the return ferry ticket and admission to the island. Family ticket (including up to 3 children) is £65, adults £25, concessions £20 and additional children cost £5. Questions? Email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Marriage Preparation Courses
The next parish Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday 31st May and Saturday, 23rd August, both at St Andrew’s, Ravelston (EH4 3DS). Please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to register.
Save the Date: Festival Mass
Sunday, 10 August: His Grace, Archbishop Cushley, will celebrate the annual Festival Mass at Noon at the Cathedral. Join us for this beautiful celebration of our Sunday Liturgy at the start of the week of our Cathedral’s patronal feast (the Assumption) on 15th August in the season of Edinburgh’s International Festival.
‘Lives Worth Living’: Talk on Assisted Suicide Bills
In these days following the passing of the initial vote at the Scottish Parliament for the bill to legalise doctor-assisted suicide, please join us for a talk ‘Lives Worth Living’ tomorrow, Monday 19th May, from 6:30pm, at the parish rooms of St Andrew's, Ravelston, with Margaret Akers of the Society for Protection of Unborn Children. She will speak about the two assisted suicide bills currently going through the Westminster and Holyrood Parliaments. Both bills are very much live, and both can very much be defeated, if we take this opportunity to do something about them. Please do attend to hear what you can do to prevent assisted suicide becoming law. For more information, please contact williamcurrie@spuc.org.uk
Ravelston Holy Rosary in May
Thanks to so many who have been joining us for our Holy Rosary prayed immediately after each 6pm Mass in St Andrews church Monday to Friday – everyone is invited to join this powerful family prayer. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, those who do not know the Rosary or have not prayed the Rosary for a long time are especially welcome! Rosary beads will be provided if needed. Please sign up at the back of church if you would like to help lead the praying of the Rosary.
Save the Date: Friday, 6 June Potluck Supper and Quiz at Ravelston
To raise funds for the Ravelston Parish project SCIAF (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund), come along to an enjoyable and social evening of a potluck supper and quiz! Tickets will be on sale soon. Please speak to Fergus or Marie for advance tickets. Tickets will be £10 per person. Please bring your own bottle.
Calling All RCIA Leaders! — Saturday Morning Workshop
All RCIA leaders are invited by the Catechetics Commission of the Archdiocese for a morning workshop. The day begins with Mass, includes a time of discussion and sharing, and ends with a brief consideration on mystagogy (post-baptismal instruction). It takes place on Saturday 31 May from 9:30am – 12:00pm beginning with 9:30am Mass at The Gillis Centre 100 Strathearn Road, EH9 1BB. Register at: https://bit.ly/RCIA-Leaders-morning
St Margaret's Pilgrimage - Sunday 8 June
All are welcome at the annual St Margaret's Pilgrimage in Dunfermline on Sunday 8 June. Join Archbishop Leo, clergy and people from across Scotland for the procession through the town centre with the relic of St Margaret at 2:00pm, followed by Holy Mass at 3:00pm in St Margaret's Church. Full schedule in the news-events section at archedinburgh.org
Corpus Christi Procession - Sunday 22 June
Archbishop Leo will lead the Archdiocesan Corpus Christi Procession from St Patrick’s Church in Kilsyth at 3:00pm on Sunday 22 June. This is a joyous occasion with the Blessed Sacrament being carried through the streets. First Holy Communicants in the Archdiocese are invited to take a special place in the procession wearing their formal clothes. Parking available at the Church. Contact St Patrick's to reserve disabled/minibus parking or to book a space on the free shuttle buses from Croy train station to the Church. priest.stpatrickskilsyth@staned.org.uk or 01236 822136.
Save the Date: Jubilee Year Picnic for Families
Join families from across the Archdiocese for a Jubilee Year picnic on Saturday 28 June, 11:00am – 4:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. There will be spiritual talks on the theme of Hope and talks and games for children. Includes Rosary at The Grotto and concludes with Holy Mass in St Margaret's Chapel. At 4:00pm there is the chance to walk to the Jubilee Cross at St Mary's Cathedral (optional). Childcare provided.
5-Day Summer Session for Young Adults: ‘Christ: Our Eucharist’
The Faith Movement is back at Ampleforth Abbey this summer for our 49th annual summer session from 28 July - 1 August 2025. The theme of our five-day Catholic conference for young adults is ‘Christ: Our Eucharist, Earth's Light and Jubilee’. Spend a week in beautiful York with other young adults aged 16-30 exploring the faith with a variety of social, spiritual and catechetical activities. The focus of the week will be the series of talks, each building on one another to develop a coherent, dynamic vision of the faith. Each day there will be Mass, Morning and Night prayer and, on one of the evenings, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions. There will also be plenty of time for recreation and socialising each night. If you are interested in attending please register at www.faith.co.uk/events
Host an International Secondary School Student
MyEducation (UK) Ltd coordinates international high school exchange programmes and has a group of students arriving in Edinburgh this September who will be attending Leith Academy. Many of them are practising Catholics. All of the students will be aged 16 or 17 and going into S5 at secondary school. If you might be interested in hosting, please see the flyer posted in the Octagon or contact 02380 970924 or info@myeducationuk.co.uk. Visit https://myeducationuk.co.uk/host-a-student/ for more information.
August: Monastic Experience Weekend for Men at Pluscarden Abbey
The community of Benedictine monks at Pluscarden offer a special opportunity for men to experience what monastic life is all about Friday 22nd-Monday 25th August. This opportunity is suitable for single men who are Catholic, practise their faith, are aged 18-40, and at least open to the possibility of considering a monastic vocation. Participants will join the monks in their daily prayer and work, and will be offered a close-up insight into some of the treasures of the monastic tradition. The event may be of assistance in the process of discerning one's vocation in life. There will be no charge for the weekend. Register at https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/monastic-experience-weekend
Donegal County Council Seeks Stories of Working Life in Scotland
Are you or a family member from Donegal County, Ireland, and spent time working in Scotland between 1940 and 1990? If so, Donegal County Council wants to hear from you for a new public exhibition entitled ‘Working Over By’ to include personal stories on video of Donegal men and women’s working experiences in Scotland in the Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny in June. Record a short video of yourself or family member on a smartphone (5 minutes maximum) sharing experiences of the work, working conditions, and being among Donegal people who worked in Scotland. One participant will win a return flight for two between Donegal and Glasgow. Be sure to have the consent of the person being interviewed. Send the footage by WhatsApp to 00 353 87 360 3463 with your name and contact details. Closing date for entries is Friday, May 30. For more information contact donegalscotland@donegalcoco.ie or visit https://bit.ly/WorkingLifeinScotland
Rosary in a Year Podcast
Be transformed by daily prayer with the Rosary in a Year Podcast with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames. You can discover how to deepen your focus and enter into the mysteries of the Rosary and build a meaningful habit of daily prayer. Each of the daily episodes is about 10-15 minutes. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the power of this Marian devotion! Listen at https://bit.ly/RosaryinaYear