Once again, members of our Parish joined with pilgrims from St Catherine's in Burnley, and also from St Paul's Nelson Little Marsden, to make the journey to England's Nazareth, in Little Walsingham, Norfolk. We were accompanied not only by Fr David, but also by Fr Roger Parker, Vicar of St Catherine's, Fr Tristan Mears, Curate of St Catherine's, and Fr Guy Jamieson, Vicar of Nelson Little Marsden. During the pilgrimage, on the Sunday, Fr Paul Benfield also joined us after celebrating the mass at St Andrew's.

After a long coach journey, we arrived in Walsingham at around 4.00 pm on Friday, in time to make our First Visit to the Holy House, and find our rooms. The evening activities included a guided tour of the village, and Compline, before retiring to the Bar for a well-earned lemonade!

Saturday brought some rain in Norfolk, but it didn't deter us from walking the Way of the Cross (though we did made the decision to join together for the Stations that were under cover!). During the day, we had a trip out to Norwich, where we were able to visit the Cathedral (and some of us also walked across the city to visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral). After this we returned to Walsingham for the Pilgrimage Mass celebrated by Fr Graeme Rowlands, who is the Interim Administrator at Walsingham.

By Saturday evening, the weather had cleared up enough for the Procession of Our Lady to take place outdoors, before we returned to the Shrine Church for Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, at which Fr David presided, and the Healing Ministries of the Church, which were offered by various priests.

On Sunday, we had a leisurely morning, before joining pilgrims at the Parish Church for their Sunday mass, once again celebrated by Fr Graeme. Following a good lunch, we gathered in the Shrine Church for Sprinkling at the Holy Well, and the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. In the evening, there was a Quiz night followed by Compline. 

Despite being hundreds of miles away from East Lancashire, we were still caught out by Bishop Philip, who arrived in his shorts, ready for the Pilgrimage for Healing and Renewal which was to take place on the Bank Holiday Monday - it's impossible to escape the eyes of the bishop!

On the Monday, we had an early mass in the Holy House celebrated by Fr Tristan (his first Mass at Walsingham), before walking the Holy Mile to the Roman Catholic Shrine and the Slipper Chapel (where mediaeval pilgrims would leave their shoes before walking the last mile barefoot to the Shrine). On our return, we had our lunch before making a Final Visit to the Holy House and boarding our bus to return to East Lancashire at around 8.00 pm.

We all had a wonderful time on pilgrimage, and enjoyed the spiritual (and physical) refreshment that a journey to this holy place can bring. 

Next year's pilgrimage will be take place from Friday 29 August to Monday 1 September 2025. If anyone is interested in joining us please speak to Fr David, who will be able to give you further information.