News
Walsingham Pilgrimages
(A) House Pilgrimage, March 2008
From 29th February to 2nd March 2008 around twenty members of St Stephen’s House and their families went on the annual House Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk. St Stephen’s House has a strong relationship with the Shrine, with both the former Principal, Fr Jeremy Sheehy, and Mrs Robin Ward, the wife of the current Principal, being Guardians of the Shrine.
Students made the most of the resources of the Shrine as a preparation for Holy Week, which was subsequently celebrated communally in the House. There was also the usual round of the Pilgrimage Mass, visits to the Holy House and the Parish Mass in St Mary’s, Little Walsingham on Sunday morning, at which the Principal concelebrated.
On top of the liturgical celebrations, there was the opportunity for trips to the beach (Wells-next-the-Sea and Cromer), a visit to Norwich and a few quiet drinks in the local pub.
As a reminder of the graces received on the Pilgrimage and the enjoyment of the weekend, there is a new image of Christ in Glory above the stoop at the entrance to the House Chapel.
(B) National Pilgrimage, May 2008
The National Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham took place on Monday 26th May 2008 with a great fear of bad weather again following the downpours of 2007. However, the weather held out and the day was a great success. Nine students from St Stephen’s House helped to steward the event and Fr James Hill (SSH 2005-07) and Fr Charles Miller (SSH 2004-07) deaconed at the Mass and then at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament (given by Bishop Geoffrey Rowell, the chair of House Council) in the Abbey grounds. It was good to see so many former students of the House, not least the Priest Administrator, Fr Philip North CMP (SSH 1989-92), and the Shrine Priest, Fr Philip Barnes SSC (SSH 1998-2000), both of whom were leaving the Shrine later that year to take up posts at parishes in the Diocese of London.
Photographs from James Bradley
Article posted: 06.03.2008 16:11:54