Day 1
And we’re off! Yes, it’s the beginning of our pilgrimage across country to England’s Nazareth in Walsingham.
Whilst you’ll be eager to reach our destination, don’t forget that pilgrimage is a journey – and so whether you are travelling by coach or car the journey you make to Walsingham is an intrinsic part of the pilgrimage experience.
If you’re on social media why not follow us on Twitter (@waleswalsingham) and Facebook (South Wales Walsingham Pilgrimage) and share in the conversation along the way?
Or check out the website of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham where you can discover more about its history and spirituality.
Prayers for the Journey
Heavenly Father, protector of all who trust in you, you led your people in safety through the desert and brought them to a land of plenty. Guide these your faithful people who begin their journey today. Fill them with your your Spirit of love. Preserve them from all harm and bring them in safety to their destination. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May our Lord Jesus Christ be with us to defend us, within us to keep us, before us to lead us, begins us to guard us, above us to bless us. We ask this of him who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.
Welcome to Walsingham
When you arrive in Walsingham, you’ll be greeted by the Shrine staff who will also allocate your rooms to you (rooms though are not available until 3pm).
At 5pm you’re welcome to join us in the Orangery for an introductory session.
It’s specifically designed for first time pilgrims to help you make the most of your pilgrimage – although all are welcome!
First Visit to the Holy House
After our first meal together (supper is from 630pm) we gather at 7.45pm in and around the Holy House for our first Visit as we humbly claim a share in Mary’s prayers. The Holy House is at the heart of the Shrine Church and our pilgrimage experience, as we draw close Jesus.
Following the first visit, move seamlessly to the celebration of the the first Mass of our Pilgrimage in celebration of Our Lady of Walsingham.
There are, obviously, too many of us to make it possible for all to enter the Holy House during this celebration. However, pilgrims are encouraged to visit the House both today and throughout our pilgrimage. Please turn to face the Holy House. All proclaim: Hail most holy Sanctuary of Our Lady of Walsingham! I will go into the house of the Lord, even to the God of my joy and gladness! Let us listen to the Gospel of the Lord (Luke 1:26 –38) (The gospel of the Annunciation is read) Let us pray. We beseech you, O Lord, pour your grace into our hearts that as we have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel so by his cross + and passion we may brought to the glory of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful people. And kindle in them the fire of your love. O Mary, O glorious Mother of my Saviour, behold me at my journey’s end standing within this holy place where, through the centuries, you have been the devotion and confidence of Christians. In this place where your name is so great, your protection so assured, your intercession so loving, I humbly claim a share in your prayers, O Mary, Our Lady of Walsingham. Blessed is she who believed That the promises made her by the Lord would be fulfilled. Almighty God, grant us the grace to magnify your holy name and make us ever open to the guidance of your Holy Spirit, that we may come at the end of our pilgrimage on earth to our eternal home, there with Mary and all the saints to praise you for ever. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. CONCELEBRATED SUNG MASS for OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM followed by PROCESSION of OUR LADY & BENEDICTION Preacher: Fr Dean Atkins As we will have heard the gospel of the Annunciation proclaimed in the Holy House, with the message delivered to Mary and her loving response to God, we sing that song from the hill country of Judah in which Mary proclaims the greatness of the Lord - God has gladdened my heart with joy.' Below are the hymns for the Mass. You can find the Order of Mass here which opens in a separate tab. The first reading will be read in Welsh (English translation is below) Entrance Hymn God has gladdened my heart with joy, alleluia! he has vested me with holiness, alleluia! Sing my soul of the glory of the Lord; with God's Spirit I'm full to overflowing. See the love that God showers on the poor; see the Lord overshadow those who fear him. All the world will join in this song of praise, for through me they now know the Lord is with them. To fulfill what he promised from of old God has chosen me! Bless his name for ever. Day by day, year by year, God's love is sure; those who listen and keep his word will know it. See the power of the Lord destroy the strong! Those who think themselves strong, the Lord will humble. Empty pride, self-conceit the Lord ignores; but he raises the poor who call upon him. No more thirst, no more hunger with the Lord; unsurpassed is his goodness to his people. See the care that the Lord shows to us all. day by day, year by year, God's love unending. Praise the Father, the Son, the Spirit, praise! May the glory of God be sung for ever. First Reading A reading from the prophet Zephaniah (3:14-18) Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has repealed your sentence; he has driven your enemies away. The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you have no more evil to fear. When that day comes, word will come to Jerusalem: Zion, have no fear, do not let your hands fall limp. The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult with joy over you, he will renew you by his love; he will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival. Responsorial Psalm Response: Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. Hymn for the Preparation of the Gifts Sing we of the blessed Mother who received the angels word, And obedient to his summons bore in love the infant Lord; Sing we of the Joys of Mary at whose breast that child was fed Who is Son of God eternal and the everlasting Bread. Sing we, too, of Mary’s sorrows, of the sword that pierced her through, When beneath the cross of Jesus she his weight of suffering knew, Looked upon her Son and Saviour reigning from the awful tree, Saw the price of man’s redemption paid to set the sinner free. Sing again the joys of Mary when she saw the risen Lord, And in prayer with Christ’s apostles, waited on his promised word: From on high the blazing glory of the Spirit’s presence came, Heavenly breath of God’s own being, Tokened in the wind and flame. Sing the chiefest joy of Mary when on earth her work was done, And the Lord of all creation brought her to his heavenly home: Virgin Mother, Mary blessed, Raised on high and crowned with grace, May thy Son, the world’s redeemer, Grant us all to see his face. Communion Hymn All for Jesus! All for Jesus, this our song shall ever be; for we have no hope, nor Savior, if we have not hope in thee. All for Jesus! Thou wilt give us strength to serve thee, hour by hour, none can move us from thy presence, while we trust thy love and power. All for Jesus! At thine altar thou dost give us sweet content; here, dear Lord, we now receive thee in the solemn Sacrament. All for Jesus! Thou hast loved us; all for Jesus! Thou hast died; all for Jesus! Tthou art with us; all for Jesus crucified. All for Jesus! All for Jesus! This the Church's song must be; till, at last, her sons are gathered one in love and one in thee. Hymn before the Procession During this hymn, the candles are lit and the sacred ministers prepare for the procession. Please remain in your places until after the hymn As I kneel before you, as I bow my head in prayer, take this day, make it yours and fill me with your love. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, Bendicta tu All I have I give you, every dream and wish are yours. Mother of Christ, mother of mine, present them to my Lord. As I kneel before you, and I see your smiling face, every thought, every word is lost in your embrace. Let us proceed in peace In the name of Christ. Amen. The Walsingham Pilgrim Hymn All Glory to God in His mercy and grace Who hath stablished His home in this wonderful place. Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! All Glory to Jesus our Saviour and Lord Whose image within us by grace is restored All Glory to God in His Spirit divine Who hath fixed His abode in this poor soul of mine. Sing the praises of Mary, the Mother of God Whose 'Walsingham Way' countless pilgrims have trod. Then lift high your voices, rehearse the glad tale of Our Lady's appearing in Stiffkey's fair vale. When Edward Confessor ruled over the land The Faverche's Manor stood here nigh at hand. The Lady Richeldis devoted her care to good works and penance and worship and prayer. One day as she prayed and looked up to the skies, A vision of splendour delighted her eyes. Our Lady, God's Mother, in glory arrayed, Held a house in her arms which was clearly displayed. Take note my dear daughter, and build here a shrine, As Nazareth's home in this country of thine. And the spot that I choose where the house shall arise By a sign shall be plainly revealed to your eyes. The vision passed slowly away from her sight But her mind held the house in its length, breadth and height. Bewildered she pondered this message so sweet, When a clear spring of water burst forth at her feet. Bewildered no longer for this was the sign, She vowed on this spot she would build such a shrine. The finest materials her workmen could find She employed for this house she had fixed in her mind. But though she had given both timbers and lands, The power of the work lay in Mary's own hands. And this was made clear when the work was complete By the answers to prayers poured out at her feet. And soon mighty wonders by Grace were revealed, For the sick who made use of the waters were healed. So Walsingham then came a place of great fame, and Our Lady herself was called by this name. And many a pilgrim to the day of his death, Took the road once a year to England's Nazareth. So crowded were roads that the stars, people say, That shrine in the heavens were called 'Walsingham Way' And many the favours and graces bestowed On those, who in faith, took the pilgrimage road. The image of Mary with her Holy Son Was honoured and feted by everyone. The Canons and Friars built houses around And the praises of God were a regular sound. And Kings, Lords and Commons their homage would pay And the burning of tapers turned night into day. But at last came a King who had greed in his eyes, And he lusted for treasure with fraud and with lies. The order went forth; and with horror 'twas learned. That the shrine was destroyed and the image was burned. And here where God's mother had once been enthroned, The souls that stayed faithful 'neath tyranny groaned. And this realm which had once been our Lady's own Dower Had its church now enslaved by the secular power. And so dark night fell on this glorious place Where all former glories there hardly was trace. Yet a thin stream of pilgrims still walked the old way And hearts longed to see this night turned into day. Till at last, when full measure of penance was poured, In her Shrine see the honour of Mary restored. Again, 'neath her image the tapers shine fair In her children's endeavours past wrongs to repair. Again in her house her due honour is taught; Her name is invoked, her fair graces besought. And the sick and the maimed seek the pilgrimage way, And miraculous healing their bodies display. Oh, Mother give heed to the prayer of our heart, that your glory from here never more may depart. Now to God the all Father, and Son, with due praise, And life giving Spirit, thanksgiving we raise. As the Blessed Sacrament is brought from its place of reservation, the bell will ring. (KNEEL) Hymn Lord, enthroned in heav'nly splendor, Majesty, worship his majesty, unto Jesus be glory, honour, and praise. Majesty, kingdom, authority flows from his throne unto his own, his anthem raise. So exalt, lift up on high the Name of Jesus Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King Majesty, worship his Majesty Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings A short reflection follows, and then all sing: Therefore we, before him bending, this great Sacrament revere; types and shadows have their ending, for the newer rite is here; faith, our outward sense befriending, makes our inward vision clear. Glory let us give, and blessing to the Father and the Son, honour, might and praise addressing, while eternal ages run; ever too his love confessing, Who from both, with both, is One. A Collect is said or sung after which Benediction is given. As the sacrament is being returned to the tabernacle, the following refrain is sung three times: Blessed and praised be Jesus Christ in the most Holy Sacrament. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in excelsis!
Enter the Mystery 