Walsingham 

Our Parish has had a long association with the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. One former vicar was born and brought up in the village with his vocation being fostered by Fr Hope Patten the restorer of the shrine, another having served there as the Shrine Priest for several years. Walsingham is a special place for many of our parishioners and the parish regularly organises pilgrimages to the shrine throughout the year as well as having a cell of the Society of Our Lady of Walsingham.

To find our more about the shrine click here.

Why pilgrimage?

Pilgrimage is an important aspect of the christian life. Many describe our whole lives as being one great pilgrimage as we journey towards life with God in Heaven. In making pilgrimage we detach ourselves from the busyness of daily life literally by travelling away from it. We are given the opportunity to enter more deeply into our relationship with God, given space to contemplate those gifts He gives us day by day, repent of the sins that separate us from Him, and to ask for help in particular aspects of our life. At Waslingham there is a particular focus on the powerful intercession of Mary the mother of Jesus who as a saint now lives with her son in heaven. There she is able to pray for us in just the same way that we can ask our earthly mothers to pray for us but in a more powerful way as we see as though a glass, dimly but she sees face to face (cf. 1Cor 13:12).

Our parish pilgrimages

As a parish we organise to go on pilgrimage several times a year.

A 1 day pilgrimage in the autumn leaving here early in the morning and returning in the evening.

A weekend pilgrimage in the summer leaving here on Friday morning and returning on Sunday evening.

The National Pilgrimage on the late may Bank Holiday. This is a day pilgrimage which is attended by thousands of pilgrims from across the country. Video here

Young pilgrims 

Younger members of our parish coma and enjoy the general parish pilgrimages but there are some pilgrimages which are tailored specially for younger pilgrims. If you are interested in attending them the clergy would be very happy to help organise a group.

The Family  pilgrimage for parents and children together 

The Children’s pilgrimage (7-11)

The Youth Pilgrimage 11-18

The Adoremus young adults Pilgrimage (18-35)

The Society of Our Lady of Walsingham (SOLW)

The Shrine at Walsingham receives no financial support from the rest of the Church of Engaland. As such it has to raise all that it needs to survive on its own. One way in which we can support the shrine is by becoming members of the SOLW. this comes with an annual subscription and the responsibility to regularly pray for the work of the shrine. 

In return members receive the Walsigham review twice year, are prayed for daily at shrine prayers and requiems are said for members who have died every month. 

Our Cell of the SOLW

Members of the Society form Cells- local groups. Our Cell meets on the first Wednesday of the month for mass at 19:30 followed by a bring and share supper. A time of fellowship and to reminisce about happy memories of past pilgrimages and look forward to the next one. We hope you will join us.