Holy Mass was celebrated at St David's Parish in Dalkeith on Monday to launch Vocations Awareness week

It was celebrated by Fr Andrew Garden, parish priest of St David's and our Director of Vocations, who was joined by Fr Paul Lee, of St Agatha's in Methil.

Aso there were several seminarians from the Archdiocese who are preparing to return to Rome later this month to continue their studies at The Pontifical Scots College.

Pray for Priests

Every year, the Church in Scotland sets aside a week in which we are all asked to reflect on our vocation within the Christian family, a vocation which flows from our shared Baptismal vocation to grow in holiness and in service of others.

This year we are asked to reflect on the meaning and importance of the Eucharist.

We pray that we will always have sufficient priests to offer Holy Mass for and with us and parish communities rooted in the Eucharist and in the faith that Jesus is with us, really present, when we come together.

A message to those discerning

Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, our Director of Religious Vocations, said: "I would like to encourage you to take some time this week to think and pray about your future.

"You might be busy studying or working right now, but where is the Lord leading you to? What plan does He have in store for you?

"Do you find it scary to think that the Lord might be calling you to follow Him more closely as a priest, or as a religious sister or brother? The founder of the order I am part of, Mother Julia Verhaeghe, said, ‘The Lord wants your happiness and we do too!”

"Feel free to contact me or Fr Andrew Garden if you like to chat about your plans, your questions or worries. Discerning what the Lord might be saying to you is not so easy, so we are here to help. It is worth exploring an we are here to help.

Interested in the priesthood? Contact Fr Andrew Garden on 0131 663 4286 or at  vocations@staned.org.uk. For the religious life contact Sr Mirjam Hugens on 0131 623 8902 or at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk