Your Eminence Cardinal O'Brien, Fathers, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is a great honour to be asked to speak at today's Feast Day celebration.
Here at the National Shrine of the Apostle Andrew - the patron saint Scotland shares with Russia and Greece.
Whilst we celebrate St Andrew's day, it is however true, as the moderator said last week at a service in the Crypt Chapel of the Houses of Parliament, that not a lot is known about St Andrew.
And we must be thankful to the Church for guarding his memory down the centuries.
Well he was a follower of John the Baptist and a fisherman. Who accepted the call to follow Jesus and whom Jesus made a 'fisher of men' (Matthew 4:18-21).
Where St Andrew is mentioned is mentioned in the Bible he is bringing someone to Jesus.
Often Andrew is referred to simply as Peter's brother. Though it was he who brought his more charismatic brother to Jesus, saying to him 'We have found the Messiah' (John 1: 40-42).
Andrew saw Christ after the Resurrection and received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
And during the following decades he would spread the word, preaching in southern Russia and then in Greece.
Closer to home, the relics of St Andrew which came to Scotland in the early 8th century were eventually kept in the great medieval cathedral of St Andrews.
Leading to the widespread belief that the Apostle Andrew had specifically selected the Scottish people to look after and honour his relics. So the patron saint, the Saltire flag, the relics and the See of St Andrew became symbols of Scotland.
But 450 years ago, in 1559, the interior of St Andrews cathedral, including the shrine and relics were destroyed by reformers.
We all know about the difficult and troubled times which followed for Scottish Catholicism. While, at the same time, Scotland lost its tangible link with Andrew.
The Cardinal was telling me St Mary's Cathedral dates back 195 years just five years short of its bicentenary. It was here, at the time of the restoration of the hierarchy 130 years ago, that the National Shrine to St Andrew was recreated.
Where we can see two of the relics and an icon of St Andrew.
And while St Andrew never physically set foot on Scottish soil, so many Andrews have spread the spirit of Scotland across the world.
Today St Andrew's day is a holy day for many which has become a holiday for some. But at its heart a religious day. With this feast day mass the spiritual centre of Scotland's celebration.
Scotland's Christian heritage can be traced back to the 4th century to St Ninian's mission followed by St Columba.
As importantly I believe that faith has a future. It is simply wrong to say that we have cast-off religion and in the process become more modern, more tolerant and more diverse.
There is a secular conceit that says faith is about our past. Of course faith has played a vital role in the building of Scotland and Britain. While religious networks and influence - of many faiths including a one billion strong Catholic Church - transcends frontiers.
Faith is important, it has answers to the calling to help find problems to today's problems.
The recent crisis demonstrates how financial activity can be completely turned on itself, lacking any long term consideration of the common good.
Many of us lost our way a little. For some - materialism was elevated to the status of a Religion and the consequences are felt across the globe, there is no exclusively secular solution to our situation.
Faith can be a great force for good. Churches are often the first port of call for those who don't know where to turn to. And there is rarely a more important time to love your neighbour as yourself.
And we remember that Pope John Paul II prayed at this National Shrine on his historic and momentous visit in 1982. A wonderful memory which inspires us all.
Last month in St Peter's Square, Cardinal O'Brien and I spoke to Pope Benedict about visiting Britain in 2010. And we are all thrilled at the prospect of seeing the Holy Father in Scotland next year.
I know that his visit will be welcomed by Scots of all faiths, bringing people together.
Cardinal O'Brien reflected about paucity of contemporary understanding of our Patron Saint, partly because society has become captured by the Culture of Celebrity - here today, gone tomorrow superficial celebrity, many of whom are good people.
And today is an annual opportunity for patriotic Scots to come together. A day for all Scots worldwide not only celebrate Scotland but to honour Andrew and learn more about our patron saint.