Ash Wednesday (18 February) marks the beginning of Lent, a sacred season in the Church’s year.
As ashes are placed on our foreheads, we are reminded of our human frailty and of God’s enduring mercy, calling us to turn back to Him with open hearts.
Ash Wednesday Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh
- 8:00am
- 10:00am (Archbishop Cushley)
- 12:45pm
- 6:00pm (Polish)
- 7:30pm
Throughout Lent there are opportunites to get together for prayer and fellowship:
- Shrove Tuesday – Bring & Share Social: Event for Young Adults at 6:00pm on Tuesday 17 February at Edinburgh Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart, Lauriston Place.
- Stations of the Cross: Mondays in Lent, online at 7:45pm. Each session includes a brief reflection from a guest speaker. Register here.
- Cathedral Lent reading: Join the Cathedral as they read Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God and meet for discussion and reflection, with options to meet in person at 11am at Cathedral House on Thursdays, 26 February, 5 March and 12 March, or online on Sundays at 7pm, 1 March, 8 March and 15 March. Register by emailing newmdar@gmail.com
- Courageous Heart: Girls in S3-S6 are invited to this day of faith and friendship on Saturday 28 February 2026 from 10:00am-3:00pm. Includes prayer, opportunity for Confession, Mass, lunch, a craft, and time with new friends. St Andrew’s Catholic Church and Convent, 77 Belford Road, Edinburgh. Please RSVP and request a parent permission form by emailing edinburgh@almamercy.org (or call 0131 343 3380) by 24 February.
- What Happens at Mass: A day to explore what we are seeing, hearing, saying and doing at Holy Mass so that we can participate more intensely and joyfully. The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB on Saturday 14 March, 9:30am to 4:00pm. Registration and details here.
- Retreat in Daily Life: Pray daily, meet weekly with this event organised by the Epiphany Group, Ps&Gs Church and The Edinburgh Jesuit Centre. Details and registration here.
- The Way Ahead: A retreat for people thinking about what is next in life. 13-15 March at the Conforti Centre in Coatbridge. Details and registration here.
- Awakening Scotland: One day Catholic Bible Convention and Healing Service. 5:00pm-8:30pm, Friday 27 March at St Paul’s Church, 173 Warout Road, Glenrothes, KY7 4ER. Organised by afcmuk.org.
Lent is a time of Almsgiving. Each year SCIAF has its WeeBox campaign.
SCIAF has a wealth of resources for parishes, schools and individuals. View them here.
Pope Leo’s message for Lent
Ahead of the start of Lent, Pope Leo XIV invites Catholics to open ourselves to listening, fasting, and community, urging us to abstain from words of hatred in order to make space for words of hope and peace. Read here.
As we look ahead from Ash Wednesday, may this season be a time of quiet renewal, leading us with hope and trust towards the light and joy of Easter.
Day of Prayer
The Day of Prayer for Those who have Suffered Abuse falls on the Friday after Ash Wednesday (20 February).
This day provides opportunities for Catholics in their homes, parishes and communities to pray for the healing of all who have suffered abuse.
The Liturgical Commission of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has prepared these resources.
