Our Angela coach picked us up at St George’s at 8am, having already picked up Pilgrims from St Michael & All Angels Paulsgrove and on its way to St John’s Rowlands Castle (for Havant Pilgrims).
At lunchtime we had a communion service in the beautiful Lady Chapel at Ely Cathedral and afterwards time for a quick lunch.
We arrived at Walsingham about 4pm and after our First Visit to the Holy House and collecting our room keys in the Green Room, had time to unpack and settle in before supper in the Refectory at 6.30pm.
Later, each group had separate Shrine Prayers in the Holy House before joining together for Compline, our last service of the day, in the Shrine Church.
Saturday morning after breakfast there were optional Stations of the Cross then a walk or coach ride to the nearby Catholic Shrine. We had time to browse in the shop and enjoy coffee in the cafe before gathering in the Slipper Chapel for “Prayers for Unity” led by Bishop John Hind.
Back for the Solemn Pilgrimage Mass in our Shrine Church, lunch, and a coach trip to Cromer, a train ride to Wells-Next-The-Sea, or a relaxing wander around the pretty Walsingham village.
In Cromer we walked through the town to the sea and most found our way into the large “Bargain Store” at the edge of the coach park for some “not to be missed” shopping!
After supper in our Shrine Church there was an Address, outdoor candlelit procession, Benediction and Healing Ministries. The evening finished with a Quiz in the Pilgrim Hall, a drink in the Norton room or an early night!
Sunday we gathered for Stations of the Resurrection which led us around the Shrine gardens to the Barn Chapel for a Eucharist Service, or Mass at the Parish Church of St Mary.
After lunch of roast beef and Yorkshire puds we loaded our cases back onto the coach before the last services of Sprinkling at the Well, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction and last visit to the Holy House.
We left Walsingham at 4.15pm, had a “comfort stop” at services and arrived home before 10pm.
As usual a hectic but very rewarding weekend.
