Reflection –
Traditional in the Church for many centuries, the doctrine of Mary’s Assumption was solemnly defined by Pope Pius XII before a huge crowd in St Peter’s Square on 1st November 1950: “…The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin… was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory…. as Queen over all things. There is, of course, no scriptural account of this event. The two gospels, from the Vigil and the Day Masses both focus on the honour due to Mary as the one chosen to be the Mother of God and who accepted God’s choice. She is the ultimate disciple, who treasures God’s word in her heart, and she is the one for whom God has done great things, raising up his servant in her lowliness.
Mass readings.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, solemnity – A, 15th & 16th August 2026
1st Reading: Revelations 11:19a; 12:1-6a
Responsorial Psalm. On your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia, Mary has been taken into heaven; the host of angels rejoice ………… Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 1:39-56
Important Note: Please scroll within the below window to have access to daily readings for the Holy Catholic Mass. To keep scrolling down Our Lady’s newsletter, just scroll outside the window.
PARISH UPDATES:
Mass Bookings. We are reminded that the booking of mass for our special intentions, wedding anniversaries, Birthday thanksgiving, Death anniversaries of our loved ones and general prayers is highly recommended. The mass stipends (Donations) are part of our contribution towards the good of the church and support of our priest. Please state the church you want mass said and the date. A minimum of one week’s notice is advised, earlier if possible.
Special Collection – Next Sunday, 23rd August, there will be a Special Collection for African Missions & Holy Places.
Artwork – The image for today’s newsletter for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was drawn by parishioner Jorge Kerr. If you would be interested in providing your own artwork for future newsletters appropriate to the reading for a particular week, please get in touch with the communications group at the office e-mail, office.stcuthbertsedinburgh@staned .org.uk
Publications – There are some back copies of the International Catholic Weekly, (The Tablet) in the porch. Feel free to help yourself to a copy. There are also a small number of Mass cards in the porch for sale.
ARCHDIOCESAN UPDATES
National Youth Pilgrimage – The National Youth Pilgrimage (for ages 18–35) will take place on Saturday 26 September 2026 at Pluscarden Abbey. This year’s pilgrimage will focus on religious and monastic life and will include a tour of the Abbey, a Q&A with the monks, talks on vocation, and a Vigil Mass with Archbishop Cushley. Young people are invited to travel with the Archdiocese. To register or enquire, please contact youth.office@staned.org.uk.
Altar Servers – The Annual Day for Altar Servers takes place on Saturday 5 September from 10:30am to 3:00pm at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. Please speak to any of our priests .
March for Life – travel offer – Travel to the March for Life in London for just £40 return. March for Life is the UK’s largest pro-life event, bringing together thousands of people for Mass, inspiring speakers, family and youth activities, and a peaceful march through central London. The Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office is offering a limited number of big discount return train tickets to this year’s event on Saturday 5 September. Book early to secure your discounted ticket. Go to bit.ly/archtravel
Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage – This year’s pilgrimage takes place on Sunday 20 September at St Patrick’s Church in The Cowgate, Edinburgh. It’s the annual opportunity to come together to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair, entombed in the Sacred Heart chapel at St Patrick’s. Schedule: 12:30pm – Sale of candles & goods, refreshments; 1:30pm – Holy Hour (exposition and benediction); 3:00pm – Reflection from Canon Jock Dalrymple; 4:30pm – Mass celebrated by Archbishop Cushley (Homilist: Fr Michael John Galbraith).
World Youth Day 2027 – World Youth Day takes place in Seoul, South Korea, from 1-9 August 2027. Young adults are invited to travel with the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh: Departure 1 August and return on 9 August 2027. For more information email youth.office@staned.org.uk
Music for the Homeless Jesus – On Monday 17 August with the Schola Cantorum choir of St Mary’s Cathedral. This concert is inspired by Timothy Schmlaz’s ‘Homeless Jesus’ sculpture, located outside St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. Part of Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, the evening will contemplate homelessness and marginalisation through a programme of choral music that speaks of mercy, compassion, and hope. Tickets are £15 (£10 child) — book at bit.ly/4wttcCd
Season of Creation Conference – A Day of inspiration, reflection and practical action to celebrate the Season of Creation. Saturday 5 September 2026, 10:00am – 3:00pm, Eyre Hall, Clyde Street, Glasgow, G1 4JY. The keynote speaker is Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement. Register: bit.ly/SeasonofCreation26
Archdiocesan events – Events are listed at archedinburgh.org/events
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £215
Month total collections (Bank & Cash) £420
Special Collections: £-
Bank Total (month) £812
Mass Bookings.
We are reminded that the booking of mass for our special intentions, wedding anniversaries, Birthday thanksgiving, Death anniversaries of our loved ones and general prayers is highly recommended. The mass stipends (Donations) are part of our contribution towards the good of the church and support of our priest.
MASS TIMINGS
MASS INTENTIONS
MASS DONOR
Wednesday, August 19th, 10.00am
- Allen Nicholls - RIP
- Mary & Roy Cook
Friday August 21st, 10.00am
- Archibald – full recovery
- Alice
Sunday, August 23rd, 11.30am
- Mrs Breda Duffy RIP
- Margaret & Rob Meek
Blessings to you, your families and those who are dear to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Luke 1:39-56
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.’
And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring for ever.’
And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
Reflection on the painting
We’ve all experienced the power of a good visit, whether going to see friends or welcoming others into our home. When received with warmth and openness, such encounters leave us changed, encouraged, and blessed. Something similar and far deeper takes place in today’s Gospel, where Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth. Luke describes how this meeting blesses them both: Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, and Mary, in turn, bursts into praise through her great prayer, the Magnificat. Elizabeth recognises that in welcoming Mary, she is also welcoming the Lord whom Mary carries, calling her “the mother of my Lord.” Through this encounter, we too come to see Mary as the one through whom God came to visit His people, and we honour her today because of that unique role.
Our painting by Cola dell’Amatrice show the glorious Assumption in the top half of the painting. Born in the town of Amatrice he was a contemporary to Raphael and Michelangelo, and deeply influenced by them. He worked in a style that blends late Quattrocento (15th-century) traditions with the emerging High Renaissance. Our large altarpiece painting depicts a two-part narrative, combining both the Dormition (Death) and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into a single visual composition. This pairing was common in Marian iconography. In the lower section, Mary is shown lying peacefully on her deathbed, surrounded by the Apostles and Dominican friars (the painting was commissioned for a Dominican church). Their faces are expressive and reverent, each figure reacting with a mix of awe, grief, and devotion. This scene, often referred to as the Dormitio Virginis, reflects a long-standing Christian tradition that Mary did not suffer death in the ordinary way, but “fell asleep” before being assumed into heaven.
Above, the scene transitions into the glory of heaven, where Mary, painted within a mandorla, is shown being lifted by angels, radiant and joyful, her hands in a prayerful solemn pose. She is surrounded by celestial light, and choirs of angels, ascending toward her son Jesus Christ and His Father, who welcome her with divine majesty. This image celebrates her glorification, body and soul, in heaven, the very heart of our wonderful feast of the Assumption.
