The holy season of Lent begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday (5 March). 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 the 10:00am Mass at St Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh. There are also Masses at 8:00am, 10:00am (School Mass), 6:00pm (Polish) and 7.30pm.

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 Archdiocesan Directory to find parish Confession times.

Help getting back to Confession
Not been to Confession for a while? Find out more about the Sacrament of Confession (and have the chance to go to Confession) at our event this Saturday 8 March, 10am-4pm, at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. Register here.

Support the WEE BOX campaign
Thousands of people in Columbia need your help right now. By ordering a WEE BOX and collecting your loose change, you have the power to make a huge difference. Find out more here.

Pray the Stations of the Cross
Join Catholics from across Scotland online each Monday in Lent for Stations of the Cross. Begins at 7:45pm on Monday 10 March and includes a reflection from Bishop Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen Diocese. Register at bit.ly/Stations25

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. This abstinence is spiritually motivated, being undertaken out of love of God as exemplified in the Heart of Christ. Find out more here.

Join a World Day of Prayer service
The World Day of Prayer is celebrated on Friday 7 March and is this year led by women in The Cook Islands with the theme 'I made you wonderful'. Ecumenical prayer services are taking place across the Archdiocese. To find out where services are taking place please visit www.wdpscotland.org.uk or click 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.

Support your child in Lent
If you have children in High School encourage them to attend 'Rise in Faith, Live in Hope'. The event will provide inspiration and encouragement for young Catholics across the Archdiocese. The day will take place on Saturday 15th March 2025 at St Francis Xavier's Catholic Church, Hope Street, Falkirk. Register here.

Go on Pilgrimage
The Edinburgh Seven Hills Pilgrimage is on Saturday 5th April. Taking in the summits of Arthur's Seat, Blackford Hill, the Braids, Easter Craiglockhart Hill, Corstorphine Hill, Castle Rock and Carlton Hill, the whole route is around 27km starting and finishing at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. Whether you want to join us for the whole event or meet the group along the way, this is a perfect opportunity to offer Lenten penance, pray for the city of Edinburgh and conclude with worship together at the 6:00pm Vigil Mass and prayers at the Jubilee Cross at the Cathedral. More details to be confirmed soon, but register your interest now at bit.ly/sevenhillsapril