WALSINGHAM PILGRIMAGE

Our annual pilgrimage to Walsingham started bright and early with all twenty-eight of us in church at 6.45.am for Mass and Journey Blessing. Dick and Lesley travelled to Walsingham by car, and we set off about 7.30.am to West Leigh to pick up the St Alban's pilgrims. By 8.am we were on our way, in our luxury coach - only a little more leg room, but we did have a toilet, a necessity after previous journeys to Walsingham. The journey was very pleasant, even the detour to Ely for lunch was enjoyed by most and some pilgrims were even able to visit the very fine Ely Cathedral. We arrived at Walsingham in time for tea; Dick and Lesley were there to greet us.

Walsingham was just Walsingham, "thank goodness", for that is why so many of us return each year, to be at one with God in the most Holy of places, England's Nazareth.

The early morning Saturday Mass with your own group and Priest is so tranquil, with the cool pale sun shining on many of the Altars, just marks the beginning of the pilgrimage, so serene. Stations of the Cross takes you around the gardens. Early evening Welcome Mass brings together pilgrims from far and wide, then at 8.30.pm is the Processional Mass and Benediction.

As you enter the Shrine for this magnificent service you are given a candle and holder, for half way through the service the Statue of Our Lady of Walsingham is processed around the gardens by candle light. The Shrine is always full but so quiet except for the sound of prayers and wonderful hymns. It all ends with Benediction when the Host is left on the High Altar.

Sunday after Mass, Intercessions, Laying on of hands for the sick, the Sprinkling of water, Corpus Christi Procession and the Farewell Service, and it is sadly time to go home.

This year not only did we all enjoy the refreshments at the local pub and our evening get together in Rocheils House, we had an afternoon tea party in the Orangery as a way of saying thank you to Father Malcolm for first introducing us to Walsingham, then for all his guidance, prayers and fun he has shown and shared with us in the past sixteen years.

YVONNE JONES