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Our Lady Of Consolation
Bonnyrigg
Midlothian
EH19 2JT
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Who we are
Welcome to St Matthew's RC Parish
We are a vibrant and welcoming community of faithful followers in Christ. Our mission is to spread His love and teachings through worship, sacraments, and service.
We offer Mass throughout the week, with confession available.
Whether you’re a long-time parishioner or a newcomer seeking spiritual guidance, we invite you to join us in our journey of faith.
We are a vibrant and welcoming community of faithful followers in Christ. Our mission is to spread His love and teachings through worship, sacraments, and service.
We offer Mass throughout the week, with confession available.
Whether you’re a long-time parishioner or a newcomer seeking spiritual guidance, we invite you to join us in our journey of faith.
Church Address
46 Eskdale Drive
Bonnyrigg,
Midlothian
EH19 2JT
United Kingdom
Phone: 0131 660 2826
Fax: 0131 660 2826
Download Our Lady Of Consolation vCard with Mass Times
Church Pastor
Fr Olufemi Michael Akintolu
Parish Priest
36 Carnethie Street
Rosewell,
Midlothian
EH24 9AT
United Kingdom
Phone: 0131 440 2150 / 07742737589
Fax: 0131 440 0452
Download Parish Priest Fr Olufemi Michael Akintolu vCard
Quote of the Day
Psalms 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Denomination
Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic churches in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, United Kingdom
Roman Catholic churches in Midlothian, United Kingdom
Roman Catholic churches in United Kingdom
All churches in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian
Affiliations:
The Catholic Church in Scotland
Website:
Social Media
Leadership
Leader Name:
Fr Olufemi Michael Akintolu
Leader Position:
Parish Priest
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
36 Carnethie Street
Rosewell
Midlothian
EH24 9AT
Rosewell
Midlothian
EH24 9AT
Tel:
Fax:
0131 440 0452
Leader Email:
Leader Bio:
Other Church Leaders:
Fr Olufemi Michael Akintolu on Social Media:
Our Lady Of Consolation Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
Sister Rose Harding
Admin Position:
Admin Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
0131 660 2826
Admin Email:
Mailing Address
St Matthew’s
36 Carnethie Street
Rosewell
EH24 9AT
36 Carnethie Street
Rosewell
EH24 9AT
Driving Directions to Our Lady Of Consolation
Travel/Directions Tips
Parking
Our Lady Of Consolation Bonnyrigg Mass Times
Mass Times
Rosewell - Saturday 6:00pm
Gorebridge - Sunday 9:30am
Bonnyrigg - Sunday 11:30am
Nazareth House - Sunday 2.30pm
Bonnyrigg - Monday 9.30am
Rosewell - Tuesday 9:30am
Bonnyrigg - Wednesday 9:30am
Gorebridge - Thursday 10:00am
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel.
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against
the malice and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him,
we humbly pray.
And do you,
O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the devine power,
thrust into hell Satan
and all evil spirits
who prowl about the world,
seeking the ruin of souls.
Mass Times last updated on the 11th of November, 2024
Rosewell - Saturday 6:00pm
Gorebridge - Sunday 9:30am
Bonnyrigg - Sunday 11:30am
Nazareth House - Sunday 2.30pm
Bonnyrigg - Monday 9.30am
Rosewell - Tuesday 9:30am
Bonnyrigg - Wednesday 9:30am
Gorebridge - Thursday 10:00am
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel.
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against
the malice and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him,
we humbly pray.
And do you,
O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the devine power,
thrust into hell Satan
and all evil spirits
who prowl about the world,
seeking the ruin of souls.
Mass Times last updated on the 11th of November, 2024
Worship Languages
Dress code:
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
Local outreach & community activities:
Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility:
Prayers and hymns:
Main Bible:
Hymns and Songs:
Other information:
Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
Our Lady Of Consolation Photo Gallery
Our Lady Of Consolation History
What's in a name?
There is evidence to show that, towards the end of the Middle Ages, Scotland received a number of Devotions to Our Lady from Italy and Rome. The people who brought these Devotional practices into Scotland were pilgrims, or ecclesiastics who had resided in some official capacity, at a Roman Curia. One can discern an extremely clear example of such devotional infiltration in the career of Robert Blacader, who was Archbishop of Glasgow from 1483 to 1508.
In the mid-15th century, in Rome, there existed a painting of the Madonna by a little known artist named Antonazzo. This painting was in the wall of a portico in a granary belonging to the Mattei family near the Campadoglio. Sometime shortly before 1470, this picture of the Madonna came into prominence. It was said that a woman, whose son was about to be put to death for a crime of which he was innocent, knelt in prayer - anguished prayer - before this picture and the Madonna spoke to her and did console her with assurance that her son would be saved from the gallows. News of the miracles spread through the city and the picture, now called Our Lady of Consolation - became famous. People flocked to pray before the picture, miracles were attributed to the Madonna of the Consolation; a Confraternity was formed and entrusted with the care of the picture, and popular piety built a Church to enshrine it. That was in 1470.
During this time, when the enthusiasm for the Madonna of the Consolation was in its first fervour, the future archbishop of Glasgow, Robert Blacader, was in Rome. He is referred to as the Scots King's "messenger" in the letter of Pope Paul II to King James III, dated 11 April 1471. Later, between 1476 and 1478, Fr Blacader acquired the Church of Lasswade in 1476 and soon his devotion to the Madonna of the Consolation became manifest, for on 11 March 1477-78, Pope Sixtus IV granted a petition, submitted by Blacader, and issued a Bull of Foundation for Pilgrims, Sick Folk and Poor People as needed care .............." and the Pope decreed that the hospital should be dedicated, as the petitioner, Fr Blacader, had requested, to our Lady of Consolation.
This is the earliest appearance of any dedication to Our Lady of Consolation in Scotland, and there seems little doubt that it is entirely due to the personal devotion of Robert Blacader.
This is the background to the title of our church in Bonnyrigg.
Looking Back
At one time, Bonnyrigg parish was geographically split in two with half of the residents being registered in St. Matthew's at Rosewell and the other half in St David's, Dalkeith, although most apparently attended Mass at Nazareth House. The children therefore attended St. Matthew's or St David's schools at that time. With public transport limited, parishioners often walked the back road to St. Matthew's for Mass.
In the late1940's, the parishioners asked the Diocese to build a church in Bonnyrigg. However, as this was just after the war, it was deemed more important to build housing so they were told a church would have to wait. After all, people make a church, not a building. Then in the 1950's there was an influx of Catholics to Bonnyrigg from the West of Scotland, as people came through to work in the coal mines.
It was at this time that Fr. McArdle was appointed to form a church in the area and he moved into a house in Park Road which had been donated to the parish of Bonnyrigg. He had a German housekeeper who was reputedly a very formidable lady to get past! Fr. McArdle started a building fund for a church, but at this time parishioners were allowed to go to Mass in the old Royal Picture House in Bonnyrigg. All sorts of events were organised by the men and women of the parish in order to raise funds, raffles, whist drives (no Bingo then!), hostess parties, and of course, weekly household collections of cash. It is thanks to all their efforts we have a church today.
It was a wonderful day when Archbishop Gordon Gray officially opened our lady of Consolation in 1957. Priests appointed following Fr. McArdle's time were Fr. Gallagher, Fr. Carey, Fr. Hendry and Fr. McMahon. Monsignor Hyland was also a frequent visitor to the parish, helping out in a variety of ways. Fr. Gallagher was instrumental in bringing a Catholic school to Bonnyrigg, as he was an influential figure on the Education Committee, and Bonnyrigg Primary School became St. Mary's. People felt Fr. Gallagher had a six sense in knowing when someone felt down. He always had a comforting word for them, even if it was at Communion during mass.
In July 1967 a Silver Jubilee Concert was staged by the children of St. Mary's School at Lasswade High School. The event was followed by a social evening in the Masonic Hall.
In 1990, it was necessary to combine the parishes of Bonnyrigg and Rosewell into Our lady of consolation and St. Matthew. A great debt of gratitude is due to Canon White for his efforts in achieving this so successfully.
Memories
Anna Rose recalls when dances were held in the church. She says, "There was no licensed bar in those days, so the men often went over to the Staiside for a drink. St Patrick's Night dances were popular, but after Fr. Gallagher arrived and statues wee put into the church, the dances stopped, perhaps due the fact there was no bar and perhaps the feeling that it was disrespectful." There were Sunday house to house collections by Naish Gavin, Tim Canon, Mick Jones, James Scott and Hughie Jack among others. Anna remembers Mick called to collect 2/6d but everyone gave what they could afford. Contributions rose around the time of the store "divi", when parishioners had a little more cash to spare. The collections lasted until Fr. Gallagher arrived in the parish.
St. Mary's School, with headmaster Mr. Carney, also helped raise funds through fetes and sales of work, and a young Women's Guild was formed to build up a sense of community, with Beetle and Whist Drives held and a St. Vincent de Paul Society was also formed.
Some time after the church opened, Anna recalls a flood under the church and the men of the parish had to attend with picks and shovels in hand, go under the church and help to pump out water and make repairs to the foundations.
Naish Gavin well remembers attending mass in the Picture house, where the congregation were asked to raise their hands if they wished to take Communion. And the day the Foundation Stone was laid it was pouring with rain! Lots of events seem to be associated with heavy rainfall, a trait that continues to this day. Naish also recalls badminton being played in the church the seats being put back against the walls. The church cost £29,000 to build, which takes Naish back to the collections Anna remembered. He recalled, "The highlight of these has to be the day I was bitten Mrs Paton's dog, but undeterred, I was back there the following week for the 2/-!"
Eddie Hegarty's favourite recollection is of the day he and others were erecting the fence around the church. In the process of mixing cement, he took a pail, conveniently already containing water, from the vestry. Some time later, Fr. Gallagher was to be heard enquiring, "Where has the Holy Water gone?" The fence truly is blessed!
There is evidence to show that, towards the end of the Middle Ages, Scotland received a number of Devotions to Our Lady from Italy and Rome. The people who brought these Devotional practices into Scotland were pilgrims, or ecclesiastics who had resided in some official capacity, at a Roman Curia. One can discern an extremely clear example of such devotional infiltration in the career of Robert Blacader, who was Archbishop of Glasgow from 1483 to 1508.
In the mid-15th century, in Rome, there existed a painting of the Madonna by a little known artist named Antonazzo. This painting was in the wall of a portico in a granary belonging to the Mattei family near the Campadoglio. Sometime shortly before 1470, this picture of the Madonna came into prominence. It was said that a woman, whose son was about to be put to death for a crime of which he was innocent, knelt in prayer - anguished prayer - before this picture and the Madonna spoke to her and did console her with assurance that her son would be saved from the gallows. News of the miracles spread through the city and the picture, now called Our Lady of Consolation - became famous. People flocked to pray before the picture, miracles were attributed to the Madonna of the Consolation; a Confraternity was formed and entrusted with the care of the picture, and popular piety built a Church to enshrine it. That was in 1470.
During this time, when the enthusiasm for the Madonna of the Consolation was in its first fervour, the future archbishop of Glasgow, Robert Blacader, was in Rome. He is referred to as the Scots King's "messenger" in the letter of Pope Paul II to King James III, dated 11 April 1471. Later, between 1476 and 1478, Fr Blacader acquired the Church of Lasswade in 1476 and soon his devotion to the Madonna of the Consolation became manifest, for on 11 March 1477-78, Pope Sixtus IV granted a petition, submitted by Blacader, and issued a Bull of Foundation for Pilgrims, Sick Folk and Poor People as needed care .............." and the Pope decreed that the hospital should be dedicated, as the petitioner, Fr Blacader, had requested, to our Lady of Consolation.
This is the earliest appearance of any dedication to Our Lady of Consolation in Scotland, and there seems little doubt that it is entirely due to the personal devotion of Robert Blacader.
This is the background to the title of our church in Bonnyrigg.
Looking Back
At one time, Bonnyrigg parish was geographically split in two with half of the residents being registered in St. Matthew's at Rosewell and the other half in St David's, Dalkeith, although most apparently attended Mass at Nazareth House. The children therefore attended St. Matthew's or St David's schools at that time. With public transport limited, parishioners often walked the back road to St. Matthew's for Mass.
In the late1940's, the parishioners asked the Diocese to build a church in Bonnyrigg. However, as this was just after the war, it was deemed more important to build housing so they were told a church would have to wait. After all, people make a church, not a building. Then in the 1950's there was an influx of Catholics to Bonnyrigg from the West of Scotland, as people came through to work in the coal mines.
It was at this time that Fr. McArdle was appointed to form a church in the area and he moved into a house in Park Road which had been donated to the parish of Bonnyrigg. He had a German housekeeper who was reputedly a very formidable lady to get past! Fr. McArdle started a building fund for a church, but at this time parishioners were allowed to go to Mass in the old Royal Picture House in Bonnyrigg. All sorts of events were organised by the men and women of the parish in order to raise funds, raffles, whist drives (no Bingo then!), hostess parties, and of course, weekly household collections of cash. It is thanks to all their efforts we have a church today.
It was a wonderful day when Archbishop Gordon Gray officially opened our lady of Consolation in 1957. Priests appointed following Fr. McArdle's time were Fr. Gallagher, Fr. Carey, Fr. Hendry and Fr. McMahon. Monsignor Hyland was also a frequent visitor to the parish, helping out in a variety of ways. Fr. Gallagher was instrumental in bringing a Catholic school to Bonnyrigg, as he was an influential figure on the Education Committee, and Bonnyrigg Primary School became St. Mary's. People felt Fr. Gallagher had a six sense in knowing when someone felt down. He always had a comforting word for them, even if it was at Communion during mass.
In July 1967 a Silver Jubilee Concert was staged by the children of St. Mary's School at Lasswade High School. The event was followed by a social evening in the Masonic Hall.
In 1990, it was necessary to combine the parishes of Bonnyrigg and Rosewell into Our lady of consolation and St. Matthew. A great debt of gratitude is due to Canon White for his efforts in achieving this so successfully.
Memories
Anna Rose recalls when dances were held in the church. She says, "There was no licensed bar in those days, so the men often went over to the Staiside for a drink. St Patrick's Night dances were popular, but after Fr. Gallagher arrived and statues wee put into the church, the dances stopped, perhaps due the fact there was no bar and perhaps the feeling that it was disrespectful." There were Sunday house to house collections by Naish Gavin, Tim Canon, Mick Jones, James Scott and Hughie Jack among others. Anna remembers Mick called to collect 2/6d but everyone gave what they could afford. Contributions rose around the time of the store "divi", when parishioners had a little more cash to spare. The collections lasted until Fr. Gallagher arrived in the parish.
St. Mary's School, with headmaster Mr. Carney, also helped raise funds through fetes and sales of work, and a young Women's Guild was formed to build up a sense of community, with Beetle and Whist Drives held and a St. Vincent de Paul Society was also formed.
Some time after the church opened, Anna recalls a flood under the church and the men of the parish had to attend with picks and shovels in hand, go under the church and help to pump out water and make repairs to the foundations.
Naish Gavin well remembers attending mass in the Picture house, where the congregation were asked to raise their hands if they wished to take Communion. And the day the Foundation Stone was laid it was pouring with rain! Lots of events seem to be associated with heavy rainfall, a trait that continues to this day. Naish also recalls badminton being played in the church the seats being put back against the walls. The church cost £29,000 to build, which takes Naish back to the collections Anna remembered. He recalled, "The highlight of these has to be the day I was bitten Mrs Paton's dog, but undeterred, I was back there the following week for the 2/-!"
Eddie Hegarty's favourite recollection is of the day he and others were erecting the fence around the church. In the process of mixing cement, he took a pail, conveniently already containing water, from the vestry. Some time later, Fr. Gallagher was to be heard enquiring, "Where has the Holy Water gone?" The fence truly is blessed!
Our Lady Of Consolation Historical Photos
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