The holy season of Lent begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday (26th February). It is a time we use the spiritual weapons of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Here are some suggestions for helping you towards holiness as we prepare for Easter...
Go to Mass on Ash Wednesday
Ashes will be distributed at all Masses at St Mary's Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh. Archbishop Cushley will be the principal celebrant at 12:45pm Mass at St Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh. There are also Masses at 8am, 10am (School Mass), 6pm (Polish) and 7.30pm. For Mass times across the Archdiocese, the Catholic App can help you - if it doesn't have Mass times for your parish it will give you parish website details and contact details.
Go to confession
Prepare for Holy Week and Easter by going to confession. As Pope Francis said in 2015: "There are people who are afraid to go to confession, forgetting that they will not encounter a severe judge there, but the immensely merciful Father." Use the Catholic App to help you find confession times and locations across the Archdiocese.
This #Lent2020, Pope Francis sends us the message to fix our eyes on Jesus on the cross, and urges us to go to Confession. pic.twitter.com/AxOsPQHwgr
— Westminster YM (@WestminsterYM) February 25, 2020
Support the WEE BOX campaign
Thousands of women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo need your help right now. By ordering a WEE BOX and collecting your loose change, you have the power to make a huge difference to women in need. This year, your donations will be doubled by the UK Government! Find out more here.
Please support the @sciaf WEE BOX appeal. The money you put in will be matched by the UK Government.
More at https://t.co/Z9rU0JJUTF pic.twitter.com/VTikEeYwXA— Archbishop Leo Cushley (@leocushley) February 25, 2020
Attend our Lent talks
Our Youth Initiative has helped organise three talks featuring three stories on God's call. Talk | Prayer | Pizza!
- Sunday 01 March - Archbishop Leo Cushley;
- Sunday 15 March - Sister Mirjam Hugens;
- Sunday 29 March - Father Andrew Garden
For young adults aged 16-30. No booking required and all talks take place 5-7pm at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh.
This Lent. Three talks, three stories on God's call.
✅Sunday 01 March - Archbishop Leo Cushley
✅Sunday 15 March - Sister Mirjam Hugens
✅Sunday 29 March - Father Andrew GardenFor young adults. No booking required. pic.twitter.com/9mwGhHh8Eb
— Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh (@archedinburgh) February 13, 2020
Take the Temperance Pledge
The Pioneer Association has a Short-Term Pledge for adults over the age of eighteen years to give up alcohol during Lent. So if you want to do something uplifting and challenging this could be for you. This abstinence is spiritually motivated, being undertaken out of love of God as exemplified in the Heart of Christ. Find out more here.
Missio Scotland has some fantastic Lent resources. Find them here.
Missio Scotland, the designated charity for Scotland's Catholic primary schools, has produced a number of Lenten resources including: Mission Stations of the Cross, our brand new Lenten Calendar and Good Deed Crosses that can be accessed by visiting:https://t.co/6WrRQnPOv6 pic.twitter.com/1ijRBN9C3l
— Missio Scotland (@Missio_Scotland) February 24, 2020
Pray for survivors of abuse
The Bishops Conference of Scotland has designated the first Friday of Lent as a Day of Prayer for Those who have Suffered Abuse.
Friday 28th February 2020 is a Day of Prayer for all who are suffering from any form of abuse. We pray that survivors of abuse will experience healing, justice and renewal and that the Church will resolve to protect the young and the vulnerable. pic.twitter.com/kvWeQ0yBlN
— BCoS (@BishopsScotland) February 19, 2020
Go on retreat...at home
Go on a journey through the life of Jesus, praying with scripture based on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. This retreat is offered by the Jesuits and the booklet can be downloaded and printed. Click here.
Are you interested in spending more time with scripture in this Year of the Word? Our Lent Retreat offers the perfect opportunity to do this. Follow online or receive a daily email straight to your inbox! https://t.co/sWUuJpIY2Q pic.twitter.com/7OZqOLh9eh
— Jesuits in Britain (@JesuitsBritain) February 16, 2020
Go on pilgrimage...to Lourdes
Now is the time to consider going to Lourdes as part of the annual Archdiocesan pilgrimage. It takes place from 10-17 July and is a life-enhancing experience for many. Find out more here.
It won't take a minute to find out more about some Lent basics in our quick vid.
⏱️40 days in 40 secs. pic.twitter.com/4dXcKOIZZu
— Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh (@archedinburgh) February 24, 2020