Good Friday Retreat 2025
Devotion to the Five Wounds Of Christ
THE devotion to the Five Wounds is a traditional form of prayer that focuses on the physical sufferings of Christ—his pierced hands, feet, and side. It developed in the Middle Ages as a way of meditating on the Passion, attending to the body of Jesus as it was wounded and offered on the Cross.
This form of prayer invites slow, attentive reflection. It does not aim to explain suffering, but to remain with it—to stay close to Christ in his pain, and to hold before God the woundedness of the world, and of ourselves.
Each section of this meditation includes a passage of Scripture, a short reflection, and further verses for prayer.
These readings and meditations were first delivered at St Michael and All Saints, Edinburgh, on Good Friday 2025 by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon and Faith Sutherland.
Image for Reflection
The painting shown below may be used as a focus for prayer and meditation while engaging with these reflections.
Francisco de Zurbarán, The Crucifixion (1627), oil on canvas, 290.3 × 165.5 cm. Robert A. Waller Memorial Fund, 1954.15. The Art Institute of Chicago.
The Left Hand: Inscribed
A personal note to humankind, inscribed on the palms of God’s hands.
Isaiah 49:16, Luke 23:33
The Right Hand: Exposed
Hands fixed in perpetual surrender
Psalm 22:16, John 20:25
The Left Foot: Counted
What is usually unnoticed becomes unignorable
Psalm 22:17, Isaiah 52:7
The Right Foot: Struck
A wound at the body’s lowest point
Genesis 3:15, Luke 24:40
The Side: Pierced
Unrecoverable harm
John 19:34–37, Zechariah 12:10
Mass Times
Sunday • 10:30 High Mass
A service with choral music, organ, incense, bells, and elaborate ritual Read more →
Wednesday • 11:00 Low Mass (Lady Chapel)
First Saturday of each month • 12:30 Rosary Mass
Celebrate the Sacred Seasons
ST Michael and All Saints invites you to mark some of the most significant moments of the liturgical year with special services featuring glorious music from one of the finest choirs in the city, vibrant Anglo-Catholic liturgy, and preaching that speaks to the heart. These services are true highlights of the calendar, offering excellent opportunities for reflection and celebration. Whether you’re a frequent attendee or joining for a special occasion, these events are sure to inspire.
Pentecost Vigil
Sat 7 Jun • 18:00
Mark the moment when a wind of change swept through the world, igniting the Christian movement. This celebration of Pentecost embraces new possibilities with fiery music. Afterwards, enjoy a reception in the Cloisters Bar next door.
‘O sacrum convivium’
Sun 22 Jun • 18:00
A concert within the Octave of Corpus Christi celebrates devotion to the Blessed Sacrament through music. Experience moving settings of devotional texts alongside stirring organ compositions. This journey through themes of faith offers profound contemplation of the sacred mysteries.
Assumption Evensong
Sat 16 Aug • 16:00
Celebrate Marian devotion in the inimitable Anglo-Catholic tradition, featuring flower petals, processions, and the grandest of grand choral music. The concluding service of Edinburgh’s Festival of the Sacred Arts offers a moment to be inspired.
Come-and-Sing Evensong and Benediction
Sat 27 Sep • 17:00
Embrace the beauty of Catholic ritual, no matter your tradition. Slip on some proverbial lace for the occasion and join a fabulous Come-and-Sing event. A full choir rehearsal precedes the service. Sign up online to participate.
Advent Carol Service
Sun 30 Nov • 18:00
Enter the season of Advent through a dramatic and awe-inspiring service, filled with candlelight, stirring choral music, and readings, drawing all who attend into a profound sense of waiting and wonder.
Nine Lessons & Carols
Sun 21 Dec • 18:00
Celebrate the Christmas story through the beloved Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. Scripture readings and carols recount the journey from creation to the birth of Christ. The service, accompanied by exceptional choral music, offers a moment of reflection, joy, and a deep connection to the true meaning of Christmas.
Some content beyond this point is hosted on external websites, which may set cookies and collect data about your activity. Tick the box below to allow embedded material to load automatically. You can change this setting at any time.
Latest Sermons
Listen to recent sermons and reflections.
4 May 2025
‘Speaking love in a Scottish accent’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on the Third Sunday of Easter (John 21:1–19)
20 April 2025
‘Remember.’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on Easter Sunday 2025 (Luke 24:1-12)
6 April 2025
‘It’s a lot, isn’t it?’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on Passion Sunday (John 12:1–8)
23 March 2025
‘If God ran Netflix’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on the 3rd Sunday of Lent (Luke 13:1-9)
9 March 2025
‘A Reasonable Temptation’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on the 1st Sunday of Lent (Luke 4:1-13)
5 March 2025
‘More than great television’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)
16 February 2025
‘The Beatitudes aren’t reassuring’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 6:17-26)
Latest Newsletters
Weekly emails with news, events, and updates from St Michael and All Saints.