Today, the first Saturday of October, the month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, has begun with a beautiful evening of devotions, all in honour of Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of the Holy Rosary.

Fr Gerard led the congregation in a prayerful recitation of the rosary in union with OurLady’s intentions. October 5th also happens to be the feast of Blessed Bartolo Longo, who is sometimes known as the ‘Apostle of the Rosary’ due to his great devotion to this prayer and its role in his wonderful conversion after a life drenched in the demonic. Hence, Fr Ninian preached on this holy man and the power of the rosary in converting hardened hearts and overcoming powers of darkness.

A candlelit procession in the vicinity of the church followed, with Marian hymns filling our end of the Cowgate. The evening concluded with a brief period of Adoration and then Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Our Lady of Fatima, ora pro nobis.

September 2024 Monthly Mass Intentions Schedule

There are a number of days later in the month that do not have a fixed intention yet, if you would like to have Holy Mass offered, please use the forms at the church entrance or speak to one of the Priests.

N.B. the £5.00 minimum for a Mass stipend was set in 1990. In real terms in 2024 this is closer to £15.00. We thank you for your generosity towards the upkeep of the clergy.

Please also consider donating to the Holy Souls boxes, when you cannot provide for a specific stipend. These Masses are offered monthly.

The annual, Archdiocesan Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage takes place on Sunday 22nd September, here in St Patrick’s.  The schedule for the day is as follows:

• 12:30: Goods and candles for sale with tea and coffee.
• 13:30: Holy Hour (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary and Benediction with Confession available).
• 14:45: Individual blessings at the shrine.
• 15:30: Reflection on the Venerable Margaret Sinclair, Novena prayers and a presentation from pupils of the Sinclair Academy.
• 16:30: Holy Mass (sung) celebrated by Archbishop Leo Cushley.

Join us for this day of prayer, devotion and reflection to celebrate the life of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair and pray for a miracle that will lead to her canonisation.

Archibshop Leo Cushley praying at the shrine of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair at the pilgrimage in 2023.
Photo by and copyright of Paul McSherry, 07770 393960, @Paulmcsherry2

Each Friday at 7pm during the Festival month there is a tour of the Church interior (approx 30 minutes) followed by a tour of the surrounding streets pointing out the Catholic history of our near locality (also approx 30 minutes); all welcome, and while completely gratis, donations for the Building Fund won’t be refused!

Every Saturday 7pm-9pm there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, concluding with Benediction. This is an act of Adoration, that Jesus may be loved, and blessings may be brought down upon our city and its visitors during this busy time. It is also an act of reparation for the many things which pull down, rather than build up, with the images of blasphemy on our streets, and activities which contradict Divine Wisdom in His love for all souls. It’s a quiet time of prayer, and we encourage all to seek respite in the Church’s peace and quiet, with the Lord’s Real Presence.

You might find this article helpful if you are not sure what Adoration and Benediction are.

During the month of August, every Friday at 7pm a tour of the church interior, ending with some of the Catholic sites in the adjacent streets will take place (Cardinal Beaton’s Residence, James Connolly’s memorial, Venerable Margaret Sinclair’s home, St John Ogilvie’s gaol, etc.) All welcome to this free event, and donations appreciated for the building fund.

Parents of the Little Flower, St Therese of Lisieux

Click on the Title text to watch the film featuring Father Ninian Doohan’s talk on Shalom World

Click on the text Title to watch the video of Father Ninian Doohan’s Talk from Shalom Media World of Wisdom Series

At the Birmingham Oratory under Saint John Henry Newman there was the tradition of having the month of August as a more relaxed period for the Priests of the community. This corresponded with the English school holidays. In Scotland our schools finish a month earlier, at the end of June.

Rest is important, and it gives us a chance to build up resources for the coming year.
Please note:

1. The 11 am and the 4.30pm Masses will have Organ only.
2. The 11am will be without ceremony.
3. There will be no Vespers at 5.30pm.
4. Benediction with a short period of Adoration will take place
   immediately after the 4.30 Mass.
5. The Brothers of the Little Oratory will not meet during the
   month of July

On Monday 24th June at 8.30am the grave of Canon Hannan will again be blessed (the western path, the Grange Cemetery), all are welcome at this simple ceremony to mark his death in 1891; our former Parish Priest and Founder of Hibernian FC deserves particular recognition.
We are grateful to all those who assisted at his Memorial Mass on Saturday.