Maureen Finnegan, Archdiocesan vice-president

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As we settle into the summer days and nights, it feels only right to pause and give thanks for the many quiet graces the season has brought.

 
For a small group of us, members and friends of the Union of Catholic Mothers, one such grace comes in the form of our annual pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Shrine at Walsingham. There is something timeless about Walsingham. Perhaps it is the sense of continuity – centuries of prayer woven into the very air. Or perhaps it is the simple beauty of pilgrims each arriving with their own intentions, hopes, and burdens. Whatever the reason, it remains a place where hearts are gently turned back towards God. 

As this is a national pilgrimage, it is always delightful to meet old friends from across the country. Almost every city is represented by a UCM branch, and we spend a great deal of time greeting each other. Our visit is not elaborate; it is delightfully simple – a group of women gathering in faith, united by prayer and ready to place our lives before Our Lady. Of course, there will be lots of laughter. It would not be a gathering of Catholic mothers without it. But Walsingham also offers stillness. We will walk in procession, reciting the rosary and singing hymns. We will light candles and place petitions for our loved ones. When we arrive back home, we will feel calm and quiet. 

It is so easy to become caught up in the demands of daily life. Our time in Walsingham will challenge that rhythm and remind us that prayer is not an added extra, but the foundation upon which everything else rests. 

We return home, back to routines and responsibilities, but something of Walsingham remains: a gentle call to keep prayer at the centre of our lives. 

Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.