Very early yesterday morning 7 of us set out from St. Augustine’s to go to the National Pilgrimage; we were joined at Walsingham by another 2 members who had set off a couple of days before. We had a brief break at the “hut in the woods” for our bacon and sausage butties.
It was a wonderful day with the sun shining down on us. Father Martin and I joined in the procession from the Shrine Church to the Abbey grounds for the Solemn Concelebrated Mass. The Bishop of Chichester was the principal celebrant. This year the seminarians from St. Stephen’s Theological College marshalled the parade and the Abbey Grounds. After Mass and lunch, we had an excellent sermon by the Archbishop of York and then we processed round the village saying the Rosary led by one of the Sisters, from the Walsingham Community. We sang the Walsingham Hymn between the Rosary Mysteries. Benediction took place at the site of the original Shrine Church which is in the Abbey Grounds immediatley following the Rosary.
It was good to see two of the Sisters who have joined the Ordinariate there to support us. After Benediction we left Walsingham for the short drive to Old Mother Hubbards at Swaffham for a fish and chip supper.
I’ve been going to the National Pilgrimage now for quite a few years and have always enjoyed doing so. This year counts in my estimation as one of the best.
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