As we mark Vocations Awareness Week, we will pray for more vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life during our Holy Hour for Vocations at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral on Wednesday, 17 September, 7:00pm.
The Holy Hour will be led by Fr Nick Welsh, Vice Rector of the Scots College, Rome and will conclude with Benediction at 8:00pm.
Vocations Awareness Week (14-21 September) is a time to reflect on the ways God calls each of us to follow him.
In his national pastoral letter, below, Bishop John Keenan reminds us that the cross—though challenging—is a sign of hope, love, and true joy.
Just as St Andrew embraced his call, God is inviting young people today to serve him as priests, religious, and faithful disciples.
This coming week, let us pray that many will hear his call and respond with generous hearts.
Pastoral Letter on the Priesthood and Religious Life
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Salva me bona crux! Save me, good cross! According to tradition, this is the dying prayer of St Andrew.
He said these words as he prepared to give his life for his faith in Jesus.
But in the Roman world, the cross was anything but “good.” It was a cruel instrument of torture.
To proclaim a crucified King was offensive to some and foolish to others.
But, for St Andrew, the contradictory sign of the cross was a symbol of salvation. It was a sign of hope.
God is calling men and women today to be signs of hope to this generation.
For St Andrew, the cross was also a sign pointing out the way that would lead him to Heaven.
The cross offered to him on the day of his martyrdom was a reminder of the new commandment given by Jesus: ‘Love one another, as I have loved you.’
The cross was a personal call from his Lord and Master: ‘Come, follow me.’
There are many people today who are looking for a sign. Does this life have any meaning? Does my own personal life have a purpose? Why am I here?
To many people, our modern world feels like the lonely desert of the Exodus.
Sin has caused a mysterious, spiritual sickness and people are looking for a cure. Hungry stomachs grumble for real food. Parched throats thirst for living water.
In our first reading (Numbers 21:4b-9), we heard how Moses held up a mysterious, contradictory sign to the people of his generation.
Like the cross of Jesus, it brought healing and forgiveness to a hurting people. Like the cross of Jesus, it saved them from death. Like the cross of Jesus, it brought new hope, when all hope seemed lost.
God is calling men and women today to be signs of hope to this generation.
He’s calling them to be courageous leaders like Moses. He’s calling them to be joyful messengers of his Good News like St Andrew. He’s calling them to find in his cross the way of true love. He is calling them to serve him and his Church in the priesthood and in the religious life.
In our second reading (Philippians 2:6-11) Paul describes how Jesus ‘emptied himself’ to become a servant of his brothers and sisters.
To want to become priest or a religious today doesn’t mean aspiring to a position of privilege or power. To want to become a priest or a religious is to want to love like Jesus. This means giving God everything, holding nothing back. It means giving him our gifts and talents, but also our weakness and our limitations.
The Holy Spirit is already stirring in generous hearts a fire of creative love that will set the whole world ablaze.
It means remembering that we must first receive God’s forgiveness before sharing it with others.
It means remembering that, before we preach, we must first listen carefully to the word spoken by the one, true Teacher. It means remembering that we can only ever be true leaders by remembering that we are followers of a crucified King.
Living like Jesus means making sacrifices. Becoming a priest or a religious means imitating Jesus in his simple poverty, his holy purity and his faithful obedience. But Jesus asks us to make sacrifices only so that he can give us even greater gifts. He is never outdone in generosity.
In this way, the cross is the way to true joy, and a peace the world cannot give.
As Jesus made his way to Calvary, Simon of Cyrene helped him to carry the cross which would save the world. Could you help him carry the cross today?
Veronica wiped his holy face when others couldn’t bear to look at him. Could you see his face today in the least of his brothers and sisters?
After his Resurrection, Mary Magdalene announced to the apostles the good news of his victory.
Andrew and the others brought that good news to the very ends of the earth. Who will share the joy of the Gospel with this generation? Who will proclaim the hope of his salvation today?
God is looking for courageous prophets to tell the truth to his people.
Jesus is looking for humble servants who will wash the feet of their fellow disciples.
The Holy Spirit is already stirring in generous hearts a fire of creative love that will set the whole world ablaze.
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘take up your cross and follow me!’
During this Vocations Awareness Week, let us pray that the call of Christ will be heard in our Church in Scotland and find in the hearts of our young people a generous response.
With every good wish and blessing,
+John Keenan
Bishop President, Priests for Scotland
The Archdiocese hosts a Holy Hour at St Mary's Cathedral at 7:00pm on Wednesday 17 September, led by Fr Nick Welsh, Vice-Rector of the Scots College in Rome.
Join Religious brothers and sisters at St Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday 2 February to celebrate the World Day of Consecrated Life with midday Mass.
It is a chance to meet some of those who live and work in the Archdiocese and to pray for more vocations to the Religious Life.
Thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Join other young Catholic women to chat and explore God's will in monthly get-togethers in Edinburgh.
Led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, it takes place on the last Sunday of each month, 4:00pm - 7:00pm, at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street, EH9 1SN. Dates below.
It is a chance to pray, share and discuss in a relaxed environment, and refreshments will be served. The series continues on the last Sunday of each month at the same time/venue:
Includes a retreat: 4-7 April 2025.
To register or find out more, please email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Join other young Catholic women to chat and explore God's will in monthly get-togethers in Edinburgh.
Led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, it takes place on the last Sunday of each month, 4:00pm - 7:00pm, at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street, EH9 1SN. Dates below.
It is a chance to pray, share and discuss in a relaxed environment, and refreshments will be served. The series continues on the last Sunday of each month at the same time/venue:
Includes a retreat: 4-7 April 2025.
To register or find out more, please email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Join other young Catholic women to chat and explore God's will in monthly get-togethers in Edinburgh.
Led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, the first one takes place on Sunday 26 January, 4:00pm - 7:00pm, at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street, EH9 1SN.
It is a chance to pray, share and discuss in a relaxed environment, and refreshments will be served. The series continues on the last Sunday of each month at the same time/venue:
Includes a retreat: 4-7 April 2025.
To register or find out more, please email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Watch the inspiring vocation testimony of Sister Mirjam Hugens FSO, our Director of Religious Vocations.
She recalls how her life took a turn after a pilgrimage to Rome, where a new world opened before her. From an early age in The Netherlands, her parents’ deep faith and prayer life planted the seeds of trust and devotion in her heart.
When her sister Karin chose to join a religious order, Sr. Mirjam felt a similar calling, one she initially resisted. This inner struggle marked the beginning of her graceful journey of discernment, leading her to embrace her vocation with a joyful ‘yes.’
Sr Mirjam is the secretary for Archbishop Leo Cushley and she and Sr Karin are based at St Columba's Church in Newington, Edinburgh, as members of The Spiritual Family The Work, a religious order. Find out more at www.thework-fso.org
If you are a young woman wanting to find out more about the Religious Life, Sr Mirjam is are hosting a monthly gathering of socialising, reading, discussion and prayer. The first one is on Wed 4 Sep, 7-9pm, at the Convent at 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN. To take part please email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
World Day of Prayer for Vocations (also know as Good Shepherd Sunday) is this weekend, 21 April.
We pray for our parish priests who have answered the call to dedicating their lives to serving God and the people of his Church. We pray for the Religious Men and Women who serve God both at home and abroad.
Please also keep in your prayers seminarians from the Archdiocese:
A special collection for the Ecclesiastical Students' Fund will take place at Masses this weekend. You can donate online at bit.ly/studentscollection
Pope Francis' message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations can be read here.
He calls on everyone to: “Let Jesus draw you to himself; bring him your important questions; let him challenge you by his presence; More than anyone else, Jesus respects our freedom.”
The day is dedicated in a particular way to imploring from the Father the gift of holy vocations for the building up of his Kingdom: “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” (Lk 10:2)
If you want to find out more about the priesthood or religious life, speak to your parish priest or contact Fr Andrew Garden at vocations@staned.org.uk (0131 663 4286) or Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk (0131 623 8902).
Douglas Robertson is being ordained a permanent deacon at St Michael's Church in Linlithgow on Saturday. We spoke to him about his journey to the diaconate.
What parish do you attend?
St Michael’s in Linlithgow. I have been a parishioner here for over 30 years.
What is a deacon, and what do they do?
Deacons (the word comes from the Greek word diakonia, meaning 'service') are ordained clergy who are not priests, but assist the priest at Mass by proclaiming the Gospel, reading the Intercessions, distributing Communion and dismissing the Faithful. A deacon assists the priest outside of Mass by administering the Sacrament of Baptism, bringing Viaticum to the dying, presiding for prayer services, officiating at funerals and burial services and witnessing marriages. As ministers of service, deacons perform charitable works such as visiting the sick, sacramental preparation and outreach to the poor.
Wherever I have been I have appreciated the many people who have taken the time to quietly encourage me.
What was your day job?
I worked in IT for forty years, in a number of different jobs and for several companies, starting with Rolls-Royce in Glasgow and ending with Lloyds Bank in Edinburgh.
Why did you decide to apply for the diaconate?
Looking back I feel that my whole life was leading up to this point. My faith journey took me from being a child attending Church of Scotland Sunday school, and not wanting to be there, to a teenager who went to Scripture Union camps, and found a living faith but could not sustain it.
In this Vocations Awareness Week, please keep in your prayers Michael Robertson who is being ordained a permanent deacon at St Michael's Church in Linlithgow on Saturday.
Read the Q&A ⤵️https://t.co/ImetPulE4m pic.twitter.com/YUaxnNJskU
— Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh (@archedinburgh) September 14, 2023
Despite this, my faith was always there and in my early thirties, I wanted to integrate it fully into my life and joined the Catholic Church. This was the start of a wonderful and exciting journey. My faith continued to develop and I found myself saying “God, whatever you want me to do, I will do”. During a conversation with my Parish Priest Canon Paul Kelly he challenged me to go much further than my own limited plans for the future and look at the Permanent Diaconate. The words in Malcolm Muggeridge’s book about Mother Teresa inspired me – “as the whole story of Christendom shows, if everything is asked for, everything – and more – will be accorded; if little, then nothing”. So I applied!
What support have you been given?
I am so grateful to my wife Margaret, whose own faith and that of her family is so important to me. Her Uncle Monsignor McShane, latterly of St Margaret’s in Clydebank, was a bedrock of the Catholic faith in our lives. Margaret has read my essays, tolerated the hours of study and said the right things when I found the formation challenging. I have had huge support both from this parish with its live faith and committed parishioners and that of my parish placement at St Francis Xavier, Falkirk, where I was provided with an insight into the life of a Deacon in a large parish. Wherever I have been I have appreciated the many people who have taken the time to quietly encourage me.
What are you most looking forward to in your ministry?
Serving my parish!
What advice would you give to married men who are considering the diaconate?
Contact your vocation director, an exciting journey is in front of you.
Douglas Robertson will be ordained a permanent deacon at midday on Saturday 14 September at St Michael's in Linlithgow. Interested in the Permanent Diaconate? Contact Deacon Ronnie Macaulay at macaulay_ronnie@yahoo.co.uk
Bishop John Keenan, of Paisley Diocese, has issued the following letter for Vocations Awareness Week. Bishop Keenan is the President of Priests for Scotland
Dear brothers and sisters,
This Sunday (10 Sep), we begin our celebration of Vocations Awareness Week in Scotland.
It is a time when we are encouraged to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate and the consecrated life.
Our Gospel this Sunday tackles the difficult issue of how a Christian community should deal with internal problems and disputes. At first, the answer seems a bit obtuse and legalistic, at least to our modern ears. A bit of reflection on the LORD’s advice to the community, however, opens up a horizon of love and compassion.
In this Vocations Awareness Week please keep in your prayers the seminarians of the Archdiocese. pic.twitter.com/Ek8GIFBHi8
— Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh (@archedinburgh) September 11, 2023
At the heart of the LORD’s instruction is a reminder that we need to be a caring community; a community that cares for any person in difficulty and that cares for the truth that alone can set them free.
A community that cares about the person and cares about the truth.
Might I suggest that this simple maxim, drawn from our Gospel, is a concise yet powerful description of a life of service in the Church.
Our priests, your priests, are called and chosen to care for each and every person, to respond to every human need wherever and however they encountered it.
In this Vocations Awareness Week, our National Director, Fr Vincent Lockhart explains what the term vocation means to him!@BishopsScotland @archedinburgh @ArchdiocGlasgow @rcmotherwell @DiocesePaisley @RC_Ayr @RCArgyllIsles @john_bishopjohn @RCAGVocations @vocationpaisley pic.twitter.com/JlXynvEg2l
— Missio Scotland (@Missio_Scotland) September 12, 2023
Following the example of Jesus Himself, our priests seek out the lost, offer guidance to the young, forgive sinners and offer comfort to the sick, the dying and the bereaved. From the beginning to the end of our lives they offer us direction, meaning and compassion.
Our Priests are also called and chosen to care for the truth. In a time of uncertainty, confusion and anxiety, they are witnesses of GOD’s presence and His promise in our world.
Faithful to a life of prayer, their priestly ministry reminds the world that GOD’s Word lasts forever, is always faithful and is ever inspiring of new ways of hope.
Our Vocations Awareness Week is a precious opportunity for recalling the wonder of GOD’s call to serve His People, and of gratitude for all of those who said Yes down the years.
This week I hope you and your parish communities will pray for vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious life, and encourage all those engaged in ministry in your community, and finally that our young people may be given time and space to discern if they are called to these special vocations in the life of the Church.
May the prayer that Pope Saint Paul VI composed for the first World Day of Prayer for Vocations accompany us on our journey: “O Jesus, Divine Shepherd of souls, You called the Apostles and made them fishers of men. Continue to draw to Yourself ardent and generous souls from among the young, in order to make them Your followers and Your ministers. Give them a share in Your thirst for the redemption of all… Open before them the horizons of the entire world. By responding to Your call, may they prolong Your mission here on earth, build up your Mystical Body, which is the Church, and be ‘the salt of the earth’ and ‘the light of the world”.
May the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and the Lady of Paisley watch over you and protect you.
With the assurance of my prayers and blessings, Bishop John Keenan.
Find out more about Vocations in our Archdiocese here.