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Last Wednesday, thirty members of the Parish of Our Lady and the Saints of Sussex, together with the parish priests, Fr David Murphy and Fr Nick Harden, set off for a two-day pilgrimage to Walsingham. In the spirit of ancient pilgrims in England, albeit not on foot, this was the fourth trip of the pilgrimage group, who have undertaken day pilgrimages to Canterbury, Salisbury and Winchester in recent years.

The Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham was established around 1061, when Lady Richeldis de Faverches prayed that she might undertake some special work in honour of Our Lady. According to the Pynson Ballad of 1485:

"Our Lady led Richeldis in spirit to Nazareth and showed her the house where the angel had greeted her. ‘Look, daughter’ said Our Lady. ‘Take the measurements of this house and erect another one like it in Walsingham, dedicated to praising and honouring me. All who come there shall find help in their need."

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The house was built, and Walsingham became England's foremost centre of pilgrimage until the Reformation, when the Shrine was destroyed. Its restoration began in 1896 and the Slipper Chapel was declared the national shrine of OurLady for Catholics in England in 1934. Today, it is a major pilgrimage destination for both Catholics and Anglicans.

After a long coach journey, interspersed with prayers, anecdotes and the delights of two motorway service stations, the Saints of Sussex group stopped at the Slipper Chapel for their first visit, before proceeding to their accommodation at Elmham House. After afternoon tea and, later, a welcome meal, the group took part in a Holy Hour at the Church of the Annunciation, led by lay pilgrims, during which Fr David and Fr Nick offered the Sacrament of Reconciliation, concluding the Holy Hour with Benediction.

On Thursday, the day began with Mass offered by Fr Nick at the Church of the Annunciation and afterwards, the group visited the Anglican Shrine, during which Fr David blessed the group with water from the ancient well. The well was discovered when the foundations of the church were being dug in the 1930s, providing a seemingly never-ending supply of pure fresh water. Healing services of Sprinkling are held regularly as part of the liturgical life of the church.

In the afternoon, the pilgrims made their way to the Abbey Grounds, and listened to a talk and reflection by Fr David. As with the previous evening, the evening meal was followed by a Holy Hour and Benediction, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and some social time together.

In between visits to the Anglican Shrine and the Abbey Grounds, many of the group made the walk along the Holy Mile to the Slipper Chapel, where Mass was celebrated by Fr David on Friday morning, before commencing the journey home, tired but happy and renewed in faith.

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Many thanks to Fr David Murphy for this account.
Other sources: Catholic National Shrine & Basilica of Our Lady, Walsingham‍