The Day of Prayer for those who have suffered abuse is marked each year on the Friday following Ash Wednesday (this year 16 February).
Material for parishes has been prepared with the generous support of some survivors of abuse, along the Scottish National Liturgical Commission and the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency.
Archbishop Cushley has sent the material to parishes for use that day and has encouraged clergy to recite the Prayer for Survivors with parishioners at Mass.
Heal their wounds, their strength renew: A Prayer for Survivors
Bestow healing, Lord God,
upon your beloved children,
wounded by the pain and fear
inflicted on them by others.
Cast light on the darkness of their hearts
and draw near to them
to restore what is lost.
Shelter them safely in your love
and make them confident in the knowledge
that they have been powerfully redeemed.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Grief to Grace Retreat
Grief to Grace is hosting a Scottish Retreat at St Mary's Monastery & Retreat Centre in Kinnoull, Perthshire, on Monday 15 - Saturday 20 April, 2024.
It is a five-day programme of spiritual and psychological healing for anyone who has suffered any form of abuse, including clerical and religious abuse.
It takes place in a safe, protected environment and the process is grounded in the Scriptures, the Sacraments and prayer, enabling you to open your deepest wounds to the healing power of Christ the Divine Physician.
However, this retreat programme has also been expertly and lovingly designed to make a path for that healing using therapeutic tools from the most up-to-date psychology and treatment of trauma.
The human science of psychology is integrated into a Christian view of the person whose meaning and dignity is deeper than the psyche. Body, mind and spirit are all engaged and cared for.
Find out more about Grief to Grace retreats at https://www.grieftograceuk.org/about