A weekend retreat for young women discrerning a vocation to the religious life or who simply want to find out more about what it involves.
Includes Holy Mass, a Holy Hour, reflections, sharing and time for quiet discernment.
To register for this free event and to find out more details please email Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, our Director for Religious Vocations: religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
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, Bishop John Keenan (above) reminds us that the cross—though challenging—is a sign of hope, love, and true joy.
Holy Hour
Pray for those considering the priesthood or religious life, that they may hear God’s call and respond with joyful hearts.
Come along to the Holy Hour for Vocations at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, on Wednesday, 17 September at 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.
A Holy Hour to pray for Vocations to the priesthood and religious life will take place at St Mary's Cathedral at 7:00pm on Wednesday 17 September. pic.twitter.com/M8mgrgZxXb
— Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh (@archedinburgh) September 11, 2025
We pray especially for Deacon Matthew McCafferty, Gerard Holden and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, as well as for priests across the Archdiocese who are giving their life in service of the Church.
Vocations for Women
We are hosting a retreat for young women who are interested in finding out more about the Religious Life.
It takes place from Friday 31 October to Sunday 2 November 2025 at the The Convent, 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh EH9 1BB. To register please email Sister Mirjam Hugens, Director for Religious Vocations, at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk.
We also invite young women to explore God's call for them at a series of talks beginning in January 2026. Register now at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk.. Details in below image.
If you want to explore the priesthood, have a chat with the Archdiocesan Vocations Director Monsignor Patrick Burke on 01334 472 856 (vocations@staned.org.uk), or to speak about religious life contact Sister Mirjam Hugens, Director for Religious Vocations, on 0131 623 8902, (religiousvocations@staned.org.uk). More at:https://archedinburgh.org/vocations/
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