Friday 16th May - The Annual Scotus Lecture
Bishop Salvatore Fisichella, an auxiliary bishop in Rome and the rector of the Pontifical Lateran University, joined the community and invited guests to deliver the Scotus Lecture for 2008. In a very informative, inspiring and challenging presentation, Bishop Fisichella spoke on "The Engagement of the Faith in a Post-Modern Culture." The lecture was followed by a question and answer session, and then by a celebratory meal in the college refectory. The pictures show Bishop Fisichella with Fr McFadden and Fr Hughes, and the college refectory prepared for the meal







Pilgrimage to Duns and Haddington
The college community visited the town on Duns on Saturday 26th April, and celebated Mass in the local parish church. They were joined for the celebration of the Eucharist by several members of the local parish community. While in Duns, they also visited the statue of John Duns Scotus in the local park. Following the Mass they visited St Mary's in Haddington, and had a guided tour of the church following its recent renovations. The picture shows some of the college community with members of the local parish of Duns.



Evening of Reflection for Easter
The Motherwell Diocesan Choir joined the community, together with a good number of guests, for an evening of song and reflection for Easter. This was part of the ongoing celebrations for the 700th anniversary of the death of Blessed John Duns Scotus that are taking place throughout 2008 in the college.

Visit of Bishop Terry Drainey
Bishop Terry Drainey of Middlesborough Diocese visited the college and celebrated Mass as part of the ongoing celebrations for the 700th anniversary of the death of Blessed John Duns Scotus. Bishop Drainey is an old friend of the college, having established links while he was President of Ushaw College, where he encouraged both seminaries to come together for social as well as formational events. Bishop Drainey is pictured with Fr John Hughes, Rev. Philip Kitchen, and Fr William McFadden.



Open Day
 A group of around sixty visitors joined the college community for the annual Open Day on Sunday 13th May. Mass was celebrated, followed by a light bufffet lunch, and sung Evening Prayer of the Church at 5.00pm.  

The Easter Triduum
The Easter Triduum this year was celebrated in Salamanca, allowing the staff and students of Scotus to participate in the various processions taking place in the streets of the city. It was a wonderful occasion, and a great experience of celebrating the events of the Paschal Mystery in a completely different way. Monsignor Joseph Toal, the rector of the college in Spain, presided at the liturgies in the college, and was a most gracious and generous host during our stay. The picture shows some of the college community preparing to walk around the walls of the medieval town of Avila.



Holy Week Retreat
The students from Scotus joined the students from the Pontifical Scots College, Rome, in the Royal Scots College in Salamanca, for a Holy Week retreat. It was directed by Fr. Bill Tollan, a Mill Hill Missionary, based in Glasgow, but with many years experience of working in the Cameroon.

11th March - Lenten Evening of Recollection for TeachersU
The college welcomed teachers from various schools for a lenten evening of recollection, which consisted of a choice of prayer workshops offered by both staff and students, and sung Evening Prayer of the Church with the community.

10th March - Meeting of the Community with the Papal Nuncio
The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz, met with the community for an hour of question and answer during his visit to the college for the meeting of the Bishops' Conference.

February 28 - Visit by Canon Paul McGinn and members of the St Mungo's Community



As part of the ongoing celebrations for the 700th Anniversary of Blessed John Duns Scotus, Canon Paul McGinn, the rector of Allan Hall Seminary in Chelsea, London, visited the college and celebrated Mass and preached. At the Mass he was joined by Fr Eustace and several members of the community of St Mungo's in Glasgow. The picture shows our guests with some members of the college community.

February 21 - Visit of the Very Rev Hugh Connolly



The President of St Patrick's College, Maynooth, the Very Rev. Hugh Connolly, visited the college for the first time since he was appointed as President of Maynooth. His visit highlighted the close links between the two institutions, and formed part of the 700th Anniversary Celebrations for the death of Blessed John Duns Scotus taking place in the seminary this year. The photograph shows Fr Connolly with Fr McFadden and various members of the college community.

January 21-22 - ASIST Programme
The community participated in the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) programme run by members of BreathingSpace Scotland. It formed part of the human formation programme on offer this year, and allowed the participants to address issues involved in suicide prevention.

December 7 - Advent Service
The college community welcomed friends and neighbours to their advent service, which was led by Monsignor Gerry Fitzpatrick and the St Mungo Singers. The evening highlighted John Duns Scotus' contribution to our understanding of Mary's role in salvation history, and included the performance of a new hymn dedicated to Scotus written by Mons. Fitzpatrick and Brother Stephen Smyth.

December 4 - Clergy Day