Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage
This annual event takes place at St Patrick's in The Cowgate, Edinburgh, on Sunday 21 September 2025. This year we mark the centenary of her death. Schedule to follow.
This annual event takes place at St Patrick's in The Cowgate, Edinburgh, on Sunday 21 September 2025. This year we mark the centenary of her death. Schedule to follow.
Explore the profound presence of God in every aspect of your life.
From the bustling city streets in the quiet moments of solitude.
Through prayer, meditation and reflection, uncover the sacredness within the ordinary and deepen your connection to the Divine.
Pray daily, meet weekly. Register here. To find out more please email Fr David Stewart SJ at ejcretreats@jesuit.org.uk
Opening Session
Sunday 4 May, 5.15pm at Edinburgh Jesuit Church, Lauriston Street, Edinburgh.
Closing Session
Sunday 1 June, 5.15pm, Edinburgh Jesuit Church, Lauriston Street, Edinburgh.
Hosted by the Edinburgh Jesuit Centre. FAQs below.
What is a retreat in daily life?
A retreat in daily life is time set aside over a number of weeks for prayer and reflection which is designed to fit alongside you usual work and home routine.
Who is a retreat for?
A retreat is for any Christian who wishes to deepen their prayer and know better Jesus Christ and the action of God in their lives. All you need is an openness to the experience and method of the retreat and generosity in setting aside the time needed each day for prayer for the duration of the retreat.
How long does the retreat last?
We offer retreats in daily life of different lengths - from three weeks to six weeks or more.
What do I have to do?
The commitment for the retreat in daily life is . . .
to set aside 20-30 minutes each day for prayer
to meet once a week and at the start of the retreat with your prayer guide
to come to the opening and closing sessions of the retreat
Prayer
You do not have to be an expert in prayer, or very confident about prayer, or already know how to meditate to do a retreat. Your prayer guide will help you understand how to pray better and will suggest material to pray with. What they suggest will be tailored to you, your own experience and circumstances.
Prayer Guides
It is important to have someone who is trained and experienced accompany you through your retreat. Your prayer guide will provide material for your prayer and meditation. What you discuss with them remains confidential.
Workshops
We offer workshops alongside the retreat. These focus on different methods of prayer and may be especially helpful if you are not particularly sure about how to pray or meditate in the Christian tradition or want to try new ways of praying. The workshops are optional and not necessary to do the retreat in daily life well.
How much does it cost?
We do not charge for the retreat in daily life. However, we do incur costs and so welcome a donation if you are able to make one.
The Chrism Mass is when the holy oils are blessed and the sacred chrism is consecrated. It is traditionally celebrated on Tuesday of Holy Week at St Mary's Cathedral, with Archbishop Cushley. Priest of the Archdicoese join him to renew their priestly vows
The Chrism Mass is a significant event in the Catholic Church, where the bishop consecrates the sacred chrism (a mixture of olive oil and balsam) and blesses the other holy oils (oil of catechumens and oil of the sick).
The Chrism Mass is a sign of the close bond between the bishop and the priests of the diocese, and it is a time for priests to renew their commitment to their ministry.
When is it celebrated?
Traditionally, the Chrism Mass is celebrated during Holy Week, on the morning of Holy Thursday, but it can be celebrated on another day of the week, or during the Lenten season, as close to Holy Week as possible.
The bishop consecrates the sacred chrism and blesses the other holy oils. Priests renew their commitment to their ministry.
If you are involved with Children's Liturgy in your parish, the Archdiocesan Catechetics Commission invites you to The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB, for a workshop on Children's Liturgy of the Word.
The day takes place on Saturday 22 February from 9:30am-12:00pm and will include Mass, discussion groups, a presentation on resources, and a presentation on the Liturgy of the Word within Mass.
Registration and full event schedule at https://forms.office.com/e/yRxbbsJ5kL.
Our annual summer Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place from Friday 11 July to Friday 18 July 2025. The theme is With Mary, Pilgrims of Hope and everyone is welcome.
The pilgrimage flight is now fully booked. A waiting list has been set up. The pilgrimage committee is liaising with Tangney Tours about the option of arranging alternative provision so that anyone who wishes to participate in the pilgrimage this year is able to do so.
For all details about the pilgrimage visit edinburgh-lourdes.com/lourdes25
Fr Matthew Nunes from the Archdiocese of Liverpool will speak on the theme Conversations in the Spirit: How to Lead & Participate.
Fr Nunes runs a School of Synodality in the Liverpool Archdiocese and has a wealth of experience and insights to share.
We will discuss the practical steps of being synodal in your parish with speaker input and workshops and a chance to have your say.
We invite you to join us for Holy Mass at 10:00am (optional), followed by tea and coffee in the Islay Hall where the event begins officially at 11:00am
"We welcome all parishioners in the Archdiocese, along with clergy to this event. We especially invite members of parish councils to attend." - Fr John Deighan, Archdiocesan Synod Team.
Click here to register
10:00am: Holy Mass in St Margaret's Chapel (optional).
10:30am: Tea/Coffee.
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11:00am: Session 1: How to do Conversations in the Spirit.
11:30am: First Conversation and Feedback.
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12:30pm: Lunch (please bring a packed lunch. Local cafes/shops available).
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1:15pm: Session 2: conversation in the spirit and the theology of synodality.
1:45pm: Second conversation and Feedback.
2:45pm: Evaluation, future plans, close.
Free parking onsite. Come early to secure your place and follow the directions of the stewards. Postcode for Sat-Nav EH9 1BB.
Bus: Edinburgh's Number 5 bus stops directly outside the The Gillis Centre.
Train: The closest station is Haymarket, which is a 15-20 minute walk to The Gillis Centre.
Conversations in the Spirit takes place at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. It is organised by the Synod team of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh, led by Fr John Deighan of Ss John Cantius & Nicholas in Broxburn. Register here.