A suturing kit, the kit comprising: at least one suturing instrument; and at least one cartridge (2000, 4000) for loading a suture onto the suturing instrument, the cartridge defining a path for insertion thereto and withdrawal therefrom of the suturing instrument, the cartridge comprising: a base or a magazine defining a seat (2022, 4022) for releasably holding a portion of the suture; an alignment feature (1041, 4041) holding the seat and adapted to align the seat with a portion of the suturing instrument; and a suture transfer mechanism that includes a suture transferring component that comprises a housing sleeve (2011', 4011') that is detachably coupled to the base or the magazine of the cartridge that comprises the seat, the housing sleeve (2011', 4011') being configured to remain coupled to the base or the magazine until the seat is aligned with a portion of the suturing instrument, and being detachable from the base or the magazine thereafter to transfer the portion of the suture onto the suturing instrument; characterized by a translation mechanism for moving the seat out of a path of the suturing instrument when inserted into the cartridge to allow for withdrawal of the suturing instrument from the cartridge, wherein the seat is moveable between: - a first state whereby it is not obstructing a path of the suturing instrument to permit insertion of the suturing instrument into the cartridge; - a second state in which the seat is moved into alignment with a portion of the suturing instrument to allow for loading the portion of the suture onto the suturing instrument; and - a third state whereby the seat is moved out of the path of the suturing instrument to permit unobstructed withdrawal of the suturing instrument from the cartridge. at least one suturing instrument; and at least one cartridge (2000, 4000) for loading a suture onto the suturing instrument, the cartridge defining a path for insertion thereto and withdrawal therefrom of the suturing instrument, the cartridge comprising: a base or a magazine defining a seat (2022, 4022) for releasably holding a portion of the suture; an alignment feature (1041, 4041) holding the seat and adapted to align the seat with a portion of the suturing instrument; and a suture transfer mechanism that includes a suture transferring component that comprises a housing sleeve (2011', 4011') that is detachably coupled to the base or the magazine of the cartridge that comprises the seat, the housing sleeve (2011', 4011') being configured to remain coupled to the base or the magazine until the seat is aligned with a portion of the suturing instrument, and being detachable from the base or the magazine thereafter to transfer the portion of the suture onto the suturing instrument; characterized by a translation mechanism for moving the seat out of a path of the suturing instrument when inserted into the cartridge to allow for withdrawal of the suturing instrument from the cartridge, wherein the seat is moveable between: - a first state whereby it is not obstructing a path of the suturing instrument to permit insertion of the suturing instrument into the cartridge; - a second state in which the seat is moved into alignment with a portion of the suturing instrument to allow for loading the portion of the suture onto the suturing instrument; and - a third state whereby the seat is moved out of the path of the suturing instrument to permit unobstructed withdrawal of the suturing instrument from the cartridge. - a first state whereby it is not obstructing a path of the suturing instrument to permit insertion of the suturing instrument into the cartridge; - a second state in which the seat is moved into alignment with a portion of the suturing instrument to allow for loading the portion of the suture onto the suturing instrument; and - a third state whereby the seat is moved out of the path of the suturing instrument to permit unobstructed withdrawal of the suturing instrument from the cartridge.