The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

The Holy Year opens in our diocese with a pilgrimage moving towards the Cathedral behind the cross prepared by Holy Cross High School for the jubilee – a pilgrim people behind the cross of Christ which remains the anchor of salvation.

People are invited to gather at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Carfin at 1pm on Sunday 29th December for a short gathering that introduces the pilgrimage and the opening of the Holy Year. Bishop Toal, with a small group of young people, will then make the first part of the pilgrimage towards the Cathedral.

At 2.30pm, all people from across the Diocese are invited to gather in St Bride’s Hall (across from the Cathedral) for another gathering time on the journey behind the cross and for the short pilgrimage to the Cathedral, the veneration of the Cross, a memorial of our baptism and the celebration of Mass on the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

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The Holy Year which began in Rome on Christmas eve will leave its mark on St Andrew’s Cathedral … as the sanctuary area will play host to a newly commissioned cross for the next 12 months
The Jubilee Year will open in every Cathedral of the world on Sunday December 29. The Vatican has drawn up a liturgical celebration which will see a special ‘Jubilee Year Cross’ placed in each Cathedral.
In Glasgow a new cross has been created which will be placed above the Archbishop’s ‘cathedra’ or chair on the rear wall of the sanctuary behind the altar throughout the Holy Year.
It will be a Greek cross (each arm of equal length) made of wood with the traditional symbols of St Mungo (bird, fish, bell and tree) represented at the extremities of the cross while at the centre the symbol of the 2025 Jubilee will feature bearing the image of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
All welcome at the Cathedral on Sunday at 12 noon Mass with the Archbishop to mark the start of our Holy Year.

This Sunday I will inaugurate the Holy Year within Argyll and the Isles during the 10.30am Mass in St Columba’s Cathedral, Oban. We will gather around the outdoor Crib - facing outwards across our beautiful diocese, process into the Cathedral behind the Cross, be sprinkled with Holy Water at the baptismal font before celebrating the Eucharist. Everyone is most welcome. If you live in or near Oban or are visiting the area please join us. Let us be ‘pilgrims of hope’.
+Brian

Thanks to all who prayed for life at the recent Advent Rosary, hosted by the Bishops' Conference of Scotland's Marriage, Family & Life Office. Here is the final reflection from Archbishop Leo Cushley (2 min watch).


Archbishop Leo Cushley gives his reflection at the Advent Rosary for Life. Event organised by the Bishops' Conference of Scotland's Marriage, Family & Life O...