You will find reports here of our 2021 Pilgrimage.
On Monday morning we said Mass in the Parish room at Holy Trinity Tarleton and Fr Mark blessed the pilgrims.
Speaking prior to Blessing those parishioners going on Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Fr Mark said:
“ I have not been as frequent a visitor to the Shrine as perhaps I ought to have been because the journey tends to put me off.Jesus tells those who want to follow him to pick up their cross to do so, that is to say he doesnt promise us an each journey as his disciples.Any Pilgrimage is a microcosm our Life Pilgrimage, so we shouldn’t expect it to ‘be a walk in the park’.Remember the journey of the Pilgrimage is as much part of the getting close to God as the time spent at the Holy place”.
Waterside Lunch enroute
Mass in the Holy House on Tuesday was said by Fr Tom Carpenter, Vicar of St Lukes, Southport, who is accompanying us.
During the week, Fr Mark is saying his offices with the Sisters at the Priory of Our Lady next to the Shrine, and praying before the statue of St Benedict – whose Rule he follows.
On Tuesday evening we received the Sacrament of Healing & Reconciliation, and meditated before the Blessed Sacrament.
The Wednesday Day Pilgrimage Mass in the Shrine Church saw Les Abernarthy read the Lesson and Fr Mark concelebrate.
During the afternoon on Wednesday a number of Pilgrims visited the Church of St Mary Magdalene on HM The Queen’s Sandringham Estate.
Following Benediction this evening (Wednesday), Andrew Mills helped carry the image of Our Lady of Walsingham in Procession around the Shrine Garden, accompanied by Pilgrims carrying candles to light the way.
Fr Mark celebrated the Thursday morning Mass in the Holy House. In his short Homily he reminded us of the sacrifice made by the Blessed Virgin Mary in saying yes. He encouraged the pilgrims during today when we walk the Stations of the Cross to meditate on what sacrifices God is calling on us to make in our lives.
On Thursday afternoon (Feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary) we walked the Rosary Way calling at the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Shrines.
All Pilgrimages to the Shrine end with the ‘Final Visit to the Holy House’.