Bishop Brian McGee, of Argyll & The Isles, will lead a service of prayer at Carfin Grotto on Wednesday 31 May at 7:00pm.

The event is to place the work of the Synod under the protection of Mary, Mother of the Church.

It follows the request of Pope Francis who invites the Church around the world to hold a moment of Marian Prayer onthe Feast of the Visitation and the last day of the Marian Month of May.

The faithful throughout Scotland are also asked to join their prayers to those of the universal Church on that day.

The 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, takes place in Rome this October.