* About Light-Life Movement
The movement was founded in Poland in 1973 by Venerable Fr Francis Blachnicki, with the close guidance and support of his friend and local bishop, Karol Wojtyla (the future Pope St. John Paul II).
It gathers people of various ages and vocations: children, teenagers, adults, families, priests, religious, and members of lay institutes of consecrated life. The family branch of the Movement, for sacramentally married couples, is called the Domestic Church.
The Movement was founded in Poland, but has already spread to over 20 countries on 6 continents.
* About Domestic Church
The Domestic Church helps Catholic married couples live out their vocation to holiness together.
It offers a pathway for families to grow in faith, unity and mission while drawing closer to Christ.
We meet once a month in small permanent groups called “circles”, together with a priest.
* Domestic Church in Scotland
The Domestic Church has been present in Scotland since 2007, when the first circle was formed.
Today, there are four Domestic Church circles – two in English and two in Polish. All are within the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, but we would be happy to support new circles in other parts of Scotland as well. Please contact us if you’d like to learn more!
In addition to the regular monthly circle meetings, we gather several times a year for “Communion Days”, dedicated to Mass, prayer, reflection, sharing, and fellowship — to renew our sense of unity and belonging within the Domestic Church community.
We also organise various retreats throughout the year.
The family OASIS RETREATS are a special charism of the Domestic Church. These are a time for the entire family to renew their faith and rekindle joy.
- 15- day summer retreats in Poland – the retreats are conducted in English and open to participants from around the world, with dates scheduled based on demand.
- Oasis Retreats in the UK – the next retreat will be in April 2026 in Lake District.
- Evangelisation Weekend – 5-7 December in Edinburgh (day retreat). This event is free and open to all. We warmly invite you to join us over the weekend for prayer, reflection, and fellowship — with no obligation to continue afterward. Food, tea and coffee provided. Just come, meet others, and experience the retreat. Please register your interest here.
For me, one of the most meaningful parts of the retreat was how it confirmed that the domestic church is real. It’s a living, breathing part of our faith. Being surrounded by other families who are living their faith gave me a new sense of belonging and encouragement. It reminded me that our homes can be places where faith is nurtured every single day.
Brian (Inverkeithing)