Scottish Catholic Observer

When the Sisters of Mercy community diminished and finally left Greyfriars Convent in Elgin two years ago, after 120 years of occupation, its closure was seen as a great loss by everybody in Aberdeen Diocese.

Every time I passed it, my heart wrenched. Its chained gates seemed to be a reminder of recent events in Scotland, making Elgin part of the story of dwindling faith, bringing it closer to home.

When word got out that a religious community from the US was interested in inhabiting it, excitement built up throughout the city and the diocese. With the gates reopened and contractors’ vans parked inside, what began as a rumour became reality. Under the direction of Bishop Hugh Gilbert and Deacon Vincent McQuaid of St Sylvester’s, Elgin, the building, once again, became fit for habitation.

A few months ago, with the announcement that four members of the Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia (above) from Nashville would arrive on August 22, the sense of anticipation grew. Tennessee, like many other parts of the US, has strong Scottish roots. Many of those who emigrated there would have been responsible for propagating the Faith in the new land and cultivating the soil for the founding of the Dominican community there.

On Saturday August 24, Bishop Gilbert celebrated Mass to welcome the sisters. The convent chapel, packed to capacity, bore witness to the enthusiasm of the diocese, with some of us even having to vacate the chapel to allow the procession to pass. The joy rang in the ancient stones, alive and active again.

The Mass was beautiful, enhanced with music from St Sylvester’s parishioners and a local musician. A group of young altar servers added to the sense of occasion, under the direction of George Brand and Dr Derek Kelly. Many communities and bodies were represented, from the Benedictines at Pluscarden and the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Aberdeen to the Transalpine Redemptorists of Papa Stronsay, Orkney. Dignitaries from Moray Council joined the congregation and members of the Young Adults groups from Inverness, Elgin and Aberdeen came to welcome the sisters.

In his sermon, the bishop spoke of the bad press which Scotland has endured and the still-gaping wounds in the wake of events at Fort Augustus Abbey. He then described how he had recently spoken to a fellow bishop who, since hearing of the convent’s closure, had prayed for the Dominican Sisters to occupy it, saying that ‘if anyone can re-evangelise Scotland, they can.’

Without wanting to apply pressure to the sisters, we know that they come with a good reputation.  They had already prepared a questionnaire, asking people’s views on how they could best serve the diocese, which they distributed after Mass.

At the reception, they cut a cake made by a parishioner, with the message, ‘Welcome to Scotland.’ It is remarkable how everything goes full circle. The land once evangelised by the Scots is now bringing the Faith back to us, rejuvenating it. Like St Cecilia, may the sisters find their home in the Church and find the Church in their home.