The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Gospel
Luke 14:25-33
‘Any one who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.’

At that time: Great crowds accompanied Jesus, and he turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish.” Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.’

Gospel
Luke 14:15-24
‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.’

At that time: One of those who reclined at table with Jesus said to him, ‘Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!’ But he said to him, ‘A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, “Come, for everything is now ready.” But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please excuse me.” And another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please excuse me.” And another said, “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, “Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.” And the servant said, “Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.” And the master said to the servant, “Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.” ’

COMING UP ACROSS SCOTLAND

▪ 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Saturday 7 November 2026
Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

The Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency’s national conference will bring together clergy, religious, safeguarding personnel and members of parish communities to consider how everyone can help make the Church safer.

▪ 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

Saturday 7 November 2026, 10.30am–4.00pm
Conforti Institute, Coatbridge

People from across Scotland are invited to celebrate the fruits of the network’s shared journey and discern what might come next.

▪ 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗹’𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆

Sunday 8 November 2026, 2.00pm
St Conval’s Cemetery, Glasgow Road, Barrhead

More information: www.rcdop.org.uk/events/st-convals-cemetery-mass

▪ 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝟯𝟭

Thursday 12 November 2026, 1.00pm
St Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow

Archbishop William Nolan will celebrate Mass as COP31 brings world leaders together to consider the urgent challenges facing our common home.

▪ 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Saturday 14 November 2026
St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen

This free event is open to parents, teachers, catechists, clergy and everyone passionate about sharing the Catholic faith with children and young people.

More information: www.rcda.scot/forming-a-generation

▪ 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲: 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻

Saturday 14 November 2026, 10.00am–7.00pm
9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh

Young women considering a vocation to religious life are invited to a day of Holy Mass, prayer, reflection and discernment.

More information: www.archedinburgh.org/events

▪ 𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗙 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱

Saturday 14 November 2026, 12.30pm
Sacred Heart Church, Lauriston Street, Edinburgh

SCIAF supporters, volunteers and friends are invited to gather in prayer for deceased supporters and loved ones.

More information: www.sciaf.org.uk/get-involved/events

▪ 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Sunday 15–Saturday 21 November 2026
Across Scotland

This year’s theme, Show Mercy, invites us to remember and pray for people in prison, their families, victims of crime, prison staff, chaplains and everyone affected by imprisonment.

▪ 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀

Wednesday 18 November 2026, 7.00pm
St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh

Archbishop Leo Cushley will celebrate Mass as part of Aid to the Church in Need’s annual campaign highlighting the persecution of Christians and others because of their religious beliefs.

▪ 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Monday 16–Monday 30 November 2026
Schools and parishes across Scotland

This year’s theme is Know God, Love God, Serve God. The fortnight provides an opportunity to celebrate the mission of Catholic education and the dedication of pupils, families, teachers, school staff and chaplains.

▪ 𝗗𝗶𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁

Friday 27–Sunday 29 November 2026
Gowanbank, near Darvel

Young people are invited to begin Advent together through prayer, reflection and friendship.

More information: youth.rcdg.org.uk/youth/advent-retreat

▪ 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲

Every Monday during Advent, beginning 30 November 2026, at 7.45pm
Online

Catholics from across Scotland are invited to pray the Rosary for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions.

▪ 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀

Monday 7 December 2026, 7.00pm–9.00pm
St Andrew’s Cathedral and Eyre Hall, Glasgow

Young adults aged 16–35 are invited to an evening of Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation and reflection, followed by festive refreshments.

More information: www.rcagyouth.co.uk/advent

▪ 𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗙 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Thursday 10 December 2026, 7.00pm
St Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow

The concert will feature Gaelic singer Ruairidh Gray, St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir and local choirs in support of SCIAF’s Advent Appeal.

Book your place: www.sciaf.org.uk/get-involved/events/1012-sciaf-carol-concert-2026

▪ 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲

Sunday 13 December 2026, 3.00pm
St Margaret’s Church, Davidson’s Mains, Edinburgh

Pilgrims, helpers, families and friends are invited to celebrate the joy and hope of Advent. Refreshments will follow in the parish hall.

All Saints

The celebration of All Saints has its roots in the early Church. The earliest confirmed observance dates to the fourth century, when Christians held a feast to honour all the martyrs who had given their lives for the faith.

In the early seventh century, following the plundering of the Roman catacombs, Pope Boniface IV gathered the remains of martyrs and reburied them beneath the Pantheon. This building, originally a temple dedicated to the Roman gods, was then consecrated as a Christian church. As Venerable Bede explained, a place once used for pagan worship would now honour the saints.

Both this dedication and the earlier celebration of all the martyrs took place in May. Many Eastern Churches continue to celebrate All Saints in the spring, during the Easter season or on the Sunday after Pentecost.

The origins of the November date in the Western Church remain uncertain. By the year 800, the theologian Alcuin and his friend Arno, Bishop of Salzburg, were observing the feast on 1 November. Rome adopted this date during the ninth century.

Today, the Solemnity of All Saints honours all the saints in heaven, including the countless holy men and women whose names and stories are known only to God.

Pope Leo’s prayer intention for November 2026

For the proper use of wealth
Let us pray for the proper use of wealth, that not succumbing to the temptation of selfishness, it may always be put at the service the common good and solidarity of those who have less.