Religious Communities
The Society of Our Lady of the Isles was established originally on the island of Fetlar around 40 years ago and consisted of Hermit Sisters, under religious vows, living a contemplative/hermit lifestyle of prayer.
The Society of Our Lady of the Isles
The Society of Our Lady of the Isles was established originally on the island of Fetlar around 40 years ago and consisted of Hermit Sisters, under religious vows, living a contemplative/hermit lifestyle of prayer. The Community moved from Fetlar to Unst eight years ago. The Mother Guardian recently retired due to ill health and moved to live in England. The remaining Sister is now living in sheltered housing in Unst. The Society continues to support both in fulfilling their lifelong vows as religious. The Society’s House in Unst is presently vacant.
The Society also embraces the Vocation of Oblate Companions. One Oblate lives a more active lifestyle of care, service and hospitality in the local community on Unst and the remaining Oblates live out with Shetland within their own local settings, working under the auspices of SOLI, within their own parishes. The Oblates meet annually for fellowship and prayer.
The Society has entered a transitional phase. Its overall aim continues to be the advancement of religion and the Trustees are actively considering how best this can be realised in a practical and effective way taking into account the spiritual ethos of the Society established in the Shetland Islands during the last 40 years.
Church Stories – The Diocese oF Aberdeen and Orkney
A landmark in Lerwick
Many of the Episcopal churches in the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney are real landmarks in their landscape. This is very true of St Magnus’s Church in Lerwick with its prominent belltower and fine rose window. St Magnus’s Church has played a central role in the religious and cultural life of Lerwick and the wider Shetland community since its foundation stone was laid in 1863. It continues to attract many visitors from much further afield than Scotland and the UK.
If you would like to find out more about the people that founded St Magnus’ Church and its influence on the Shetland community there is a very interesting history on the church website.