After an anxious wait for our coach we set off, firstly to St Albans Church to pick up our fellow pilgrims, from Leigh Park, West Leigh, Havant and Rowlands Castle, later we stopped at Services for coffee and were able to watch part of the Royal Wedding before continuing on our way to Walsingham.

On arrival we made our first visit to the Holy House before settling into our rooms for the weekend.

With supper, followed by Shrine Prayers and Candlelit Compline, some of us decided to forgo the customary trip to the local and settled for an early night instead.

After breakfast on Saturday morning it was the Stations of the Cross starting at the Shrine Church, proceeding around the beautiful shrine gardens, followed by a visit to the Catholic Shrine (by coach or on foot) with time for coffee there.

After lunch a group of us took the coach to Wells-next-the-Sea for a rather bracing walk and a little “Retail Therapy”.

In the evening it was the Mass of Our Lady of Walsingham, supper, and (one of my favourites), the outdoor procession with candles, followed by Benediction and Healing Ministry. We finished the day with a group party in the Orangery with quizzes, drinks and nibbles.

Sunday morning we had Stations of the Resurrection, again in the gardens, followed by Eucharist in the Barn Chapel, where gifts we had bought during the weekend were blessed.

After lunch, back to the Shrine Church for the Sprinkling at the Well, a pause for tea and cakes, then the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament.

At 4.45.pm we were back on the coach and heading for home after a really busy, but most rewarding and spiritual weekend pilgrimage. We landed back at Waterlooville around 10.30.pm, our thanks to Lindsay and Candy for making the return “flight” so entertaining.

Janet Johnson

Festival Edition 2011

Walsingham 2011