Monday, 19 May 2014

Dominican pilgrimage to Walsingham

Yesterday the English Dominican family met at Walsingham for the annual Dominican pilgrimage to the shrine of our Lady of Walsingham.

It was a gorgeous day, blessed by sunshine and good company.

The Gospel of the day invited us to put our trust in God and during the sermon we were invited to walk our way to God in the same way that we live the day of the pilgrimage to Walsingham.

Every moment of the day is an act of trust. From the moment we leave our homes (do you know how to get there? It is not on the satnav), to the moment we leave the main road to reach the slippers chapel (yes, it is really this unlikely road we have to take).
There is relief when we reach the slippers chapel and we meet with the friendly faces that we haven't seen in a year or so.

After Mass and then lunch the next unknown: will there be rain during the walk to Little Walsingham? Will we be able to carry the statue? Or as it happened yesterday, will it be too hot to walk under the sun?

When we all safely arrived in town we had the joy of sharing a tea and of saying the evening prayer together.

It's then time to say goodbye and get back home. The journey this time should be less unknown. There are people we will meet again next year (May 17th 2015, save the date!) and until then we will keep them in our hearts and our prayers.

Especially those who helped us along the way (my special thanks goes to the lay Dominican lady from Cambridge who provides directions and maps for all. I would be lost without her!), those who shared their food and drinks with us and those who helped us carrying the load during the procession.

It is a special experience to go on a pilgrimage and that's how we should live our lives every day. On a journey towards God, trusting in Him, sharing loads, meals and drinks, praying and rejoicing in the presence of the people we meet along the way. 

Thanks to all the organisers and see you all next year in Walsingham!



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