After a two-year absence we travelled to Walsingham to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first Union of Catholic Mothers’ pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

On arrival we went straight to the Chapel of Annunciation where we had Mass with Father David Potter and Monsignor John Butchard. After dinner that evening, we all assembled for the Service of Light in the Chapel of Reconciliation followed by a torchlight procession. We walked the Holy Mile reciting the rosary and singing hymns. It was very prayerful.

On Day 2, those who were able walked the Holy Mile to the Slipper Chapel where Mass was celebrated outside in the grounds by Bishop Tom Williams and Bishop John Arnold from Salford – this year’s lead diocese – along with numerous priests and deacons.

After Mass we had a picnic lunch, catching up with old friends and making new ones with members of other dioceses. Later, we lined up alphabetically for the procession to the Abbey grounds. On arrival at the Abbey, we had prayers, addresses, Benediction and the Blessing of the Sick. It was so prayerful once more.

The next morning we had Mass before we left Walsingham for our journey home. We stopped off at Sandringham on the way and explored the gardens and had a tour of the Queen’s house. It was wonderful and the staff who showed us around were very knowledgeable. The journey was very long but we managed to pass the time with raffles, bingo and a quiz.

Walsingham is a wonderful place and we enjoyed it very much. We should all make the effort to visit. In the words of Pope Leo XII (1897): ‘When England goes back to Walsingham, Our Lady will come back to England.’

Maria Pimblett,
media officer