Scottish Catholic Observer

A Solemn Pontifical Mass was celebrated in Westminster Cathedral last Saturday to mark the start of the 950th anniversary of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, England’s National Shrine of Our Lady.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols presided at the Mass, and was joined by Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the Apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark, Mgr Keith Newton, Ordinary of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, other bishops, the Abbot of Farnborough and priests representing dioceses from around the country. Also present were representatives from the Anglican Shrine, including the Guardians of the Holy House who accompanied the statue which had been brought from the Shrine. The statue was carried by members of the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Homily

At the start of his homily, Archbishop Nichols made reference to the fact that the latest book about Walsingham, Walsingham: Pilgrims and Pilgrimage, was available in the bookshop and that the author, Fr Michael Rear, would be available to sign copies.

The archbishop was quick to note with humour that he was delivering a homily and not a commercial before going on to say that the Jubilee celebration highlights the imperative for all Christians to work and pray for the visible unity of all Christians, whilst also being an opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to the people of our land.

History

The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham was established in 1061 when Richeldis de Faverches prayed to undertake some special work to honour Our Lady. According to the Pynson ballad (circa 1485), Mary, in answer to her prayer, led Richeldis in spirit to Nazareth and showed her the house where the Annunciation occurred, asking her to build a replica in Walsingham to serve as a memorial.

The Holy House was built and a religious community took charge of the foundation. Walsingham went on to become one of the greatest shrines in medieval Christendom. Today, the Shrine attracts 100,000 pilgrims during the pilgrimage season. The original Catholic shrine and statue of Our Lady were destroyed after the Reformation in 1538, but Walsingham became a pilgrim destination again after a former Slipper Chapel was restored in 1897.

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