National Pilgrimage (launching preparations for Holy Year 2025)

The National Pilgrimage of the Catholic Church in Scotland to the National Shrine at Carfin  will launch preparations for the Holy Year of 2025.

Archbishop Maury Buendía, The Papal Nuncio*, will be present with the Bishops of Scotland, and the homily will be preached by Bishop Frank Dougan of the Diocese of Galloway.

This is a national event organised by the Bishops' Comference of Scotland.

Don't forget to register for the Archdiocesan Holy Year event on Saturday 9 November at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh, here.

*The Papal Nuncio to Great Britain is the personal representative of Pope Francis to the UK's Royal Court, the Court of St James. The Nuncio's role is similar to an ambassador, representing the Holy See to the UK government and the Church in the UK. 

GALLERY: Our Summer Pilgrimage in Carfin

Thanks to everyone who came to the Rosary Procession and Mass at Carfin Grotto for the annual Archdiocesan summer pilgrimage yesterday (Sunday 18 August).

In his homily at Mass, Archbishop Leo Cushley said: "We draw life from Jesus Christ here in the Eucharist which nourishes our lives."

Highlighting the second reading from Mass (Ephesians 5:15-20) he said: "St Paul says that this may be a wicked age but your lives should redeem it.

"It's a lovely thought: you have the opportunity to redeem what you see around you by living your lives faithfully as disciples of Jesus of Nazareth. You can make a difference.

"We gather here to remember friends and family who have passed to God, to pray for those who need healing and want to be closer to the Lord, and also to pray for ourselves as well so that we too can be the people who draw life from the Lord and help redeem our age by our own lives."

Parishioners from St Agatha's in Methil, Fife.
Holy Mass.
Youth for Lourdes.
Archbishop Cushley and fellow clergy after Mass on the steps of St Francis Xavier's Church.
A group from Edinburgh, many of whom are parishioners of St Joseph's in Sighthill.
All smiles at the Grotto!
The Rosary Procession.

WATCH: Archbishop Cushley invites you to Carfin on Sun 18 Aug

We look forward to welcoming you to Carfin Grotto on Sunday 18 August for our annual summer pilgrimage.

There will be a Rosary Procession at 2pm followed by Holy Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo Cushley at 3:00pm.

Archbishop Cushley invites you along to take part in a "Wonderful and uplifting" day. Watch below or on YouTube

Carfin Grotto is the national shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes at 100 Newarthill Road,  Carfin, (near Motherwell) ML1 5AL.

Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Carfin

Led by Archbishop Cushley, our pilgrimage is a chance to come together in prayer and thanksgiving to Our Lady of Lourdes, who brings us closer to Christ.

Rosary Procession at 2:00pm

Holy Mass at 3:00pm.

  • The cafe in the hall at Carfin will be open from midday with a selection of tea/coffee and soft drinks as well as biscuits and cakes to purchase.
  • Take time to explore the beautiful grounds of Carfin and all it's features. See the map below.
  • Mass - World Day for Grandparents & the Elderly

    To mark World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2024, Holy Mass will be celebrated at the National Marian Shrine, Carfin, on Sunday 28 July 2024 at 3:00pm. The Principal Celebrant will be Bishop John Keenan (Paisley Diocese), who is President of the Bishops’ Conference Marriage, Family and Life Commission.

    The Café will be open for refreshments.

    SYNOD: National Marian Prayer event at Carfin

    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.

    GALLERY: Diocesan Day at Carfin

    Holy Mass with schools across the Archdiocese took place at Carfin Grotto as part of the Archdiocesan Day (Thursday 29 Sep).

    They were joined by parishioners and clergy, including Archbishop Leo Cushley, and there was a chance to venerate the relics of St Bernadette!

    (Pictures with logo courtesy of Sancta Familia).

    Pupils at Holy Mass in the grotto at Carfin.
    The relics of St Bernadette.
    Mass procession.
    Pupils who took part in Holy Mass.
    Sisters from the Carmelite Monastery in Dysart.
    St Augustine's, Edinburgh.
    St Ninian's, Livingston.

    St Patrick's Parish, Cowgate, Edinburgh.
    St Margaret's Academy, Livingston.
    St Kentigern's, Blackburn.

    Our Lady of Lourdes, Blackburn, and Our Lady's, Stoneyburn.

    St David's High, Dalkeith.
    Holy Rood High, Edinburgh.
    Reliquary containing relics of St Bernadette.

     

    Relics of St Bernadette at Carfin!

    Today (Thursday 29 Sep) we host our Diocesan Day at Cafin Grotto to celebrate the arrival of the The relics of St Bernadette in Scotland!

    Schedule

    8.00am                St Francis Xavier’s Church opens for private prayer

    9.00am                Confessions

    9.15am                 Morning Prayer of the Church

    9.30am                Holy Rosary

    10.00am              Holy Mass followed by veneration of the relic

    11.00am               Confessions

    12.30pm              Holy Rosary

    12.30pm              Confessions

    1.00pm                Holy Mass followed by veneration of the relic
                                  Main Celebrant: Archbishop Leo Cushley  

    3.00pm                Liturgy of Water

    5.00pm                Stations of the Cross

    7.00pm                Holy Hour

    8.00pm                Torchlight Procession

    9.00pm                Holy Mass

     

    Keep up to date with the week events at the grotto at www.carfingrotto.org

    Sunday: National Pilgrimage in honour of St Joseph

    Catholics across the country will head to Carfin on Sunday for the National Pilgrimage in honour of St Joseph.

    The annual event takes place at Scotland's National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes and will be attended by Archbishop Cushley and his fellow Bishops. The principal celebrant at Mass will be Bishop Brian McGee of Argyll & the Isles.

    If you plan to attend, get there early as it is expected to be busy (plus there will be confessions available from 2pm).