The annual SPRED Commissioning Mass takes place at 7:00pm on Thursday 18 September in St Kentigern's Church, 26-28 Parkgrove Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 7QR.
Archbishop Cushley will be the principal celebrant. He will bless catechists as well as the books that will be used to lead sessions to share God's word over the next year.
SPRED (Special Religious Development) is a parish-based programme that catechises children and adults with learning disabilities.
It has groups in Bannockburn, Dunfermline, Dunbar, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Livingston and Rosewell.
The SPRED co-ordinator for the Archdiocese is Sr Mary Benedicta Maier RSM, srmary.benedicta@staned.org.uk | 0131 370 0017.
Our annual Altar Servers' Day takes place on Saturday 13 September 2025 at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB.
Parents should contact the parish priest to register.
This year is extra special because we will be in the presence of the relics of Carlo Acutis, set to become a saint on 7 September!
Our theme is Servants of the Eucharist to show the important role Altar Servers have in enhancing the liturgy where the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic Faith.
The day features training, games, activities and inspiring talks.
It concludes with Holy Mass celebrated by Archbishop Cushley in the presence of the relics of Carlo Acutis.
Youth Mass: Carlo Acutis Relics
The relics of Blessed, and soon to be Saint, Carlo Acutis are at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, from Saturday 13 September to Monday 15 September 2025.
Pope Leo XIV declared Carlo Acutis to be canonised on Sunday 7 September 2025.
Carlo Acutis is known for his love of the Eucharist and for his use of technology in sharing religious content, particularly on eucharistic miracles. He died from leukemia aged 15 in Monza, Italy, and will become the first millennial saint.
Saturday 13 September
6:00pm: Vigil Mass in presence of relic (Cathedral open until 8:00pm for veneration).
Sunday 14 September
12:00pm: Mass in presence of relic, celebrated by Archbishop Leo Cushley.
Monday 15 September
12:45pm: Mass for Schools in presence of relic (all welcome).
On Saturday 13 September the relics will be present for out annual Altar Servers' Day at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. This event is for Altar Servers and volunteers only. If you have a child who is an altar server in the Diocese, please register fo this event with your parish priest. From 9-13 September, the relics will visit the Diocese of Paisley.
Archbishop Leo said: “It is a real blessing for our Archdiocese to welcome the relics of Carlo Acutis.
"The late Pope Benedict, when visiting Britain in 2010, called on our young people to be the "Saints of the 21st Century”.
"Carlo’s life is a powerful witness to precisely that, the beauty of holiness in our time, and a reminder that sanctity is possible at every age.
"I pray that his visit will especially inspire our young people to deepen their love for the living Lord in the Eucharist and to follow Him with renewed faith and courage."
Holy Mass: Carlo Acutis Relics
The relics of Blessed, and soon to be Saint, Carlo Acutis are at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, from Saturday 13 September to Monday 15 September 2025.
Pope Leo XIV declared Carlo Acutis to be canonised on Sunday 7 September 2025.
Carlo Acutis is known for his love of the Eucharist and for his use of technology in sharing religious content, particularly on eucharistic miracles. He died from leukemia aged 15 in Monza, Italy, and will become the first millennial saint.
Saturday 13 September
6:00pm: Vigil Mass in presence of relic (Cathedral open until 8:00pm for veneration).
Sunday 14 September
12:00pm: Mass in presence of relic, celebrated by Archbishop Leo Cushley.
Monday 15 September
12:45pm: Mass for Schools in presence of relic (all welcome).
On Saturday 13 September the relics will be present for out annual Altar Servers' Day at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. This event is for Altar Servers and volunteers only. If you have a child who is an altar server in the Diocese, please register fo this event with your parish priest. From 9-13 September, the relics will visit the Diocese of Paisley.
Archbishop Leo said: “It is a real blessing for our Archdiocese to welcome the relics of Carlo Acutis.
"The late Pope Benedict, when visiting Britain in 2010, called on our young people to be the "Saints of the 21st Century”.
"Carlo’s life is a powerful witness to precisely that, the beauty of holiness in our time, and a reminder that sanctity is possible at every age.
"I pray that his visit will especially inspire our young people to deepen their love for the living Lord in the Eucharist and to follow Him with renewed faith and courage."
Holy Mass: Carlo Acutis Relics
The relics of Blessed, and soon to be Saint, Carlo Acutis are at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, from Saturday 13 September to Monday 15 September 2025.
Pope Leo XIV declared Carlo Acutis to be canonised on Sunday 7 September 2025.
Carlo Acutis is known for his love of the Eucharist and for his use of technology in sharing religious content, particularly on eucharistic miracles. He died from leukemia aged 15 in Monza, Italy, and will become the first millennial saint.
Saturday 13 September
6:00pm: Vigil Mass in presence of relic (Cathedral open until 8:00pm for veneration).
Sunday 14 September
12:00pm: Mass in presence of relic, celebrated by Archbishop Leo Cushley.
Monday 15 September
12:45pm: Mass for Schools in presence of relic (all welcome).
On Saturday 13 September the relics will be present for out annual Altar Servers' Day at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. This event is for Altar Servers and volunteers only. If you have a child who is an altar server in the Diocese, please register fo this event with your parish priest. From 9-13 September, the relics will visit the Diocese of Paisley.
Archbishop Leo said: “It is a real blessing for our Archdiocese to welcome the relics of Carlo Acutis.
"The late Pope Benedict, when visiting Britain in 2010, called on our young people to be the "Saints of the 21st Century”.
"Carlo’s life is a powerful witness to precisely that, the beauty of holiness in our time, and a reminder that sanctity is possible at every age.
"I pray that his visit will especially inspire our young people to deepen their love for the living Lord in the Eucharist and to follow Him with renewed faith and courage."
National Pilgrimage to St Ninian's Cave, Whithorn
Mass will be celebrated outdoors on the beach of Port Castle Bay at 4:00pm on Sunday 31st August 2025.
The principal celebrant will be Bishop Frank Dougan, Saint Ninian’s successor, and he will be joined by other bishops and priests from Scotland.
A well-established footpath about one mile long takes you through the glen to the shore, and to be in place for Mass it is recommended to begin the walk by 3:00pm.
Pilgrims are invited to visit the church of St Martin & St Ninian in Whithorn on the way to the beach.
The Sacrament will also be available on request by approaching a priest on the shore or in the town before Mass begins.
The walking path to St Ninian’s Cave begins about 2½ miles from Whithorn village.
There are signposts on the B7004 road for St Ninian’s Cave. There is ample parking for cars and coaches.
Stewards will be on hand to direct the parking. Portable toilets are available at the car park.
Strong shoes should be worn for walking through the glen and on the pebble shore.
Suitable clothing should be worn according to the weather since the congregation will not be under cover. First aid will be available.
For those unable to walk to the shore, Mass will also be celebrated at 4.45 pm in the Church of St Martin and St Ninian in Whithorn village.
The celebrant will be Bishop Joseph Toal.
Parishes bringing a group of pilgrims, especially if travelling by minibus or coach, are asked to register their group by contacting whithorn25@rcdg.org.uk. Should anyone need further information, please email the same address
History of the event
On the last Sunday of August each year, a Galloway diocesan pilgrimage to St Ninian’s Cave, Whithorn takes place and Mass is celebrated on the shore at Port Castle Bay where Saint Ninian is said to have retreated for prayer.
St Ninian, son of a Roman chieftain, was ordained bishop in Rome and returned to proclaim the Gospel in south west Scotland around 397.While there was a strong tradition of pilgrimage to the burial place of St Ninian in Whithorn before the Reformation, only in 1924 was the pilgrimage resumed in its modern form.
Other information
There are some small cafes and tearooms in Whithorn village but you may wish to bring a packed lunch.
There are public toilets on the approach to the Priory, and portable ones behind the church of St Martin and St Ninian.
The Whithorn Trust operates a visitors centre which will be open on the day of the National Pilgrimage and more information can be found at www.whithorn.com.
A visit to the centre includes the chronological story of the development of Whithorn, the upper Gallery “Whithorn Cold Case” exhibition and special exhibition
“Face to Face with Whithorn’s Bishops”, now including facial reconstructions of Bishops Henry and Walter and the magnificent Whithorn Crozier; the ticket also includes access to the Iron Age roundhouse reconstruction via guided tour, and the Historic Environment Scotland Museum of early mediaeval carved stones.
The ruins of the medieval cathedral are behind the Whithorn Trust visitors centre.
Archbishop Cushley will celebrate the annual Festival Mass at Noon at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh.
The event marks the beginning of the Edinburgh International Festival and also honour's the Cathedral's patronal feast, the Assumption, which falls on Friday 15 August.
The Festival Mass is attended by local dignitaries, members of the Consular Corps, and the High Constables of Edinburgh, along with visitors and parishioners.
It is an opportunity to celebrate the Festival and reflect on its themes of peace and harmony, as highlighted by the founder, Sir Rudolph Bing.
National Pilgrimage to Carfin
The National Pilgrimage at the National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, Carfin, will take place on Sunday 7 September.
As we are in the midst of the Jubilee Year the theme for this year’s Pilgrimage will be Pilgrims of Hope.
Holy Mass will be celebrated at the Shrine at 3:00pm, the main Celebrant and Preacher will be Archbishop Leo Cushley
Pope Leo XIV recently announced that Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, will be canonised on this day in Rome, so it seems an ideal day for the Scottish Catholic Community to come together to joyfully celebrate our faith in communion with Pope Leo and the Universal Church.
World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
To celebrate this day, the National Marriage, Family and Life Commission of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland invites everyone to St Francis Xavier’s, Carfin, for Mass with Bishop John Keenan at 3:00pm on Sunday 27 July.
Archdiocesan Corpus Christi Procession
Join Archbishop Cushley for the Archdiocesan Corpus Christi Procession at St Patrick’s Church, Kilsyth, on Sunday, 22 June.
The procession through the town will begin from the church at 3:00pm.
First Holy Communicants are especially invited and may wear their First Holy Communion formal clothes to take a special place in the procession.
Clergy are most welcome to join the procession in choir.
There will be a celebration in the parish hall following the procession to which everyone is invited.
Free shuttle bus
The nearest train station to St Patrick's Church is Croy, on the main Glasgow-Edinburgh line. There will be a free shuttle bus to and from the church - please contact the parish to book a spot: priest.stpatrickskilsyth@staned.org.uk or call 01236 822136.
Parking is also available for parish minibuses and cars in the parish car park.
To reserve parking for the disabled or for minibuses please contact the parish.