The Union of Catholic Mothers

Walsingham 2009

Theme -The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of all Creation

On Monday 6 July members of The Union of Catholic Mothers travelled from all over England to meet in Walsingham for our 64th Annual Pilgrimage which was led by the Diocese of Shrewsbury.

Our Pilgrimage began at 8.00pm on Monday evening with the Service of Light which was held in the Chapel of Reconciliation and led by Bishop Brain. The statue of Our Lady of Walsingham was carried in silence to the sanctuary by Maureen Mayers, Maureen Jones, Veronica Lynch and Maureen Meatcher. During the service the Pilgrimage Candle was lit by our National President Mrs Sheila Goodchild. The reading from the letter of St Paul to the Galatians was read by the President of the Shrewsbury Diocese Mrs Pat O)’Connor and the reading from St Paul to the Ephesians were read by our National President Mrs Sheila Goodchild.

In his reflection Bishop Brain reminded us that we are here for 2 days of prayer with Our Lady of Walsingham under the title The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of all Creation. So as we kneel before the Blessed Sacrament let us focus our prayers on the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception to the moment that we draw our last natural breath.

The service concluded with the blessing given by Bishop Brain. The Pilgrimage Candle was then carried to the Slipper Chapel by our National President where it remains until our Pilgrimage is complete. We then gathered in front of the Chapel to begin our Torchlight Procession along the Pilgrims’ Way to the gardens at the rear of the Pilgrim Bureau for the closing prayers.

Tuesday 7 July commenced in warm sunshine as we gathered in the grounds of the Chapel of Reconciliation for Mass at 11.30am. The statue of Our Lady of Walsingham was carried to the sanctuary by Brigid Hegarty, Joan Deegan, Kate Hoare and Una McWeeney. This was followed by the National Officers and the clergy with Bishop Brain at the rear of the procession. Bishop Brain warmly welcomed everyone to the concelebrated Mass of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of all Creation.

The reading from Isaiah was read by the National Secretary, Mrs Angela Batey, and the Prayers of the Faithful were read by the National Treasurer, Mrs Maureen Jones. Bishop Brain then gave his homily and this is published on page ?

The clouds gathered during our Mass but thankfully it didn’t start raining until the final blessing had been completed. Raincoats and brollies suddenly appeared as everyone sought cover from the heavy rain. The sun reappeared as we assembled in readiness for our pilgrimage along the Holy Mile to the Abbey Grounds. The procession along the Holy Mile took place in prayerful silence and was offered up for “The sanctity of Human Life from Conception to Natural Death”. The statue of Our Lady of Walsingham was carried into the Abbey Grounds by Joan Ryan, Anne Fox, Mary Murray and Mary Taylor, and the National Banner was carried along the Holy Mile by Agnes Shepherd, Rennie Brandon, Joan Star, Anne Rutter, Kathleen Plumb and Enid Stanton. On Arrival in the Abbey Grounds each Diocese was greeted with their prayers of Intercession, which were read by the Vice-Presidents, Maureen Meatcher and Veronica Lynch. We then had prayers followed by the address from our National President, Sheila Goodchild, Benediction, Blessing of the sick and a reflection from the Bishop of Shrewsbury, Bishop Noble (published on page ?), the service concluded with the Hymn “Tell out my Soul”. This was a very peaceful and spiritual pilgrimage which provided an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the theme of our pilgrimage “The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of all Creation.

Sheila Godley
National Media Officer