St. Mary's RC Parish, Nairn

01/09/2026

14/08/2026

Pope Leo XIV encourages priests to respect the liturgical norms for the celebration of Mass, in a message to participants in a Vatican-organized ...

13/08/2026

🎒 A new school year begins

Over the coming days, schools across Scotland will begin to return for a new academic year.

As pupils, teachers and staff prepare to return to the classroom, we keep all of our school communities in our prayers.

We pray especially for those beginning school for the very first time, those moving on to secondary school, and all those starting a new chapter in their education.

May the Lord bless our pupils, teachers, staff and families, and may the year ahead be filled with opportunities to learn, grow in faith and flourish.

🙏 St Thomas Aquinas, Patron Saint of Students and Catholic Education, pray for us.

13/08/2026

Initial Encounter (1947):
A young Father Karol Wojtyła (the future Pope John Paul II) traveled to San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, to meet Padre Pio and have his confession heard, forming an early spiritual connection.

The Miraculous Healing (1962): While attending Vatican II, Bishop Wojtyła learned his close collaborator, Dr. Wanda Półtawska, had terminal throat cancer. He wrote a Latin letter to Padre Pio asking for intercession; 11 days later, he sent a second letter confirming she was suddenly and completely healed right before her scheduled surgery.

Lifelong Connection: Wojtyła visited Padre Pio's friary across several decades—first as a priest (1947), then as a cardinal (1974), and finally as Pope (1987).

Legacy & Canonization: Driven by his personal witness to Padre Pio’s miraculous intercession, Pope John Paul II became the driving force behind Padre Pio's ultimate elevation to sainthood in 2002.

01/08/2026

31/07/2026

The lifespan gap between monks and nuns almost disappears inside the cloister, and community life with a rule of life, scheduled prayer, and purpose contributes to successful aging.

These are some of the findings of "The German-Austrian Cloister Study" conducted by Marc Luy of the Vienna Institute of Demography at the Austrian Academy of Sciences. The research project to study health, aging, and life expectancy investigated the factors of health and longevity that revealed the so-called "successful aging" — that is, a long and healthy life.

More: https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/europe/why-monks-outlive-other-men-inside-a-30-year-study-of-european-monasteries

28/07/2026

Please join us in prayer following the distressing news from Medjugorje, where two statues of Our Lady were vandalised and the outdoor altar at St James’ Church was set on fire.

We pray for the parish of St James, for all those who make pilgrimage to Medjugorje, and for everyone affected by this act of desecration. We also pray for the people responsible, that their heart may be touched by God’s mercy and led to repentance and peace.

May Our Lady, Queen of Peace, continue to watch over Medjugorje and all who seek her Son through prayer.