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.

 

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.

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.

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.

Get some free Lent resources
Missio Scotland has some fantastic Lent resources. Find them here.

 

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.

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.

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.

Watch our 40 days in 40 secs video
It won't take a minute to find out more about some Lent basics in our quick vid.