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More than 80 pilgrims from across The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton joined Bishop Richard Moth on a special Jubilee Year Pilgrimage to the National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady at Walsingham last weekend.

The pilgrimage, which saw many people travelling to Walsingham for the very first time, brought Catholics from parish communities across Surrey and Sussex together, offering enriching opportunities for prayerful reflection and fellowship in one of England’s most cherished places of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Shrine at Walsingham can trace its origins back to 1061, when according to the text of the “Pynson Ballad” - thought to have been written around 1485 - a devout noblewoman called Richeldis de Faverches received a vision of the Virgin Mary requesting that a replica of the Holy House of Nazareth be built in Walsingham. Today, more than 150,000 pilgrims visit the National Shrine and Basilica each pilgrimage season, with Walsingham often called “England’s Nazareth.”

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Bishop Richard celebrated two Masses at the National Shrine during the pilgrimage. Preaching to an international congregation for the celebration of Pentecost on Sunday, he highlighted the “quiet revival” of the Church and emphasised the importance of sharing the good news:

“When we, according to our different vocations and circumstances, proclaim Christ, we proclaim the Word that the world can not contain. Let us never underestimate the power of the Gospel message to a world that is in so much need of it.

“The renewal that we are seeing in the life of the Church in recent times is a result of people experiencing the ‘Living Water’ of Christ. Let us open our minds and hearts to the presence of the Holy Spirit, that strengthened by it, we bring hope to our world.” 

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Pilgrims took part in a varied programme of prayer and worship during the two-night stay, praying the Daily Office together each morning and evening and walking the Holy Mile to the Shrine while reciting the rosary. There were also opportunities for Benediction, Exposition, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Speaking shortly after returning to Sussex, diocesan pilgrim Bethan said:

“[It] was a wonderful experience rooted in prayer. I particularly enjoyed sharing with others in times of prayer and reflection, and morning and evening prayer as a group.”

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Fellow Pilgrim Pauline added:

“The Pilgrimage was such a memorable experience; everyone was helpful and friendly, and it was very prayerful.”

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The pilgrimage offered an important opportunity for people across our community of faith to get to know one another, strengthening bonds across the Diocese and renewing the spiritual lives of all those who took part.

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