Bon Voyage
It’s Thursday, and the last day of the pilgrimage. Soon, we’ll be homeward bound.
An earlier Mass of 9.30am will lead into the Final Visit to the Holy House, as we thank God for all the blessings we have received throughout the pilgrimage.
As we set our face towards home, we celebrate St James, the Apostle, and patron saint of pilgrims.
Mass of St James, Apostle
Below you will find the hymns, readings and psalm response for the Mass. You can find the Order of the Mass here, which opens in a separate tab.
Entrance Hymn
For all thy saints, a noble throng,
Who fell by fire and sword,
Who soon were called, or waited long,
We praise thy name, O Lord.
For James who left his father’s side,
Nor lingered by the shore,
When, softer than the weltering tide,
Thy summon’s glided o’er;
Who stood beside the maiden dead,
who climbed the mount with thee,
And saw the glory round thy head,
One of the chosen three;
Who knelt beneath the olive shade,
Who drank thy cup of pain,
And passed from Herod’s flashing blade
To see thy face again.
Lord, give us grace, and give us love,
Like him to leave behind
Earth’s cares and joys, and look above
With true and earnest mind.
So shall we learn to drink thy cup,
So meek and firm be found,
When thou shalt come to take us up
Where thine elect are crowned.
First Reading
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 4:7-15)
We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our problems, but never despair; we have been persecuted, but never deserted; knocked down, but never killed; always, wherever we may be, we carry with us in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus, too, may always be seen in our body. Indeed, while we are still alive, we are consigned to our death every day, for the sake of Jesus, so that in our mortal flesh the life of Jesus, too, may be openly shown. So death is at work in us, but life in you. But as we have the same spirit of faith that is mentioned in scripture – I believed, and therefore I spoke – we too believe and therefore we too speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus to life will raise us with Jesus in our turn, and put us by his side and you with us. You see, all this is for your benefit, so that the more grace is multiplied among people, the more thanksgiving there will be, to the glory of God.
Responsorial Psalm
Response:
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap
Hymn for the Preparation of the Gifts
Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour,
first-begotten from the dead.
Thou alone, our strong defender,
liftest up thy people's head.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Jesus, true and living bread!
Here our humblest homage pay we,
here in loving reverence bow;
here for faith's discernment pray we,
lest we fail to know thee now.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou art here, we ask not how.
Though the lowliest form doth veil thee
as of old in Bethlehem,
here as there thine angels hail thee,
branch and flower of Jesse's stem.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We in worship join with them.
Paschal Lamb, thine offering, finished
once for all when thou was slain,
in its fullness undiminished
shall for evermore remain.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cleansing souls from every stain.
Life-imparting heavenly Manna,
stricken Rock with streaming side,
heaven and earth with loud hosanna
worship thee, the Lamb who died.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Risen, ascended, glorified!
Risen, ascended, glorified!
Hymn during Communion
Mi glywaf dyner lais
Yn galw arnaf i,
I ddod a golchi ‘meiau i gyd
Yn afon Calfari
Arglwydd dyma fi
Ar dy alwad di
Canna f’enaid yn y gwaed
A gaed ar Galfari
Yr Iesu sy’n fy ngwadd
I dderbyn gyda’i saint
Ffydd, gobaith, cariad pur a hedd
A phob rhyw nefol fraint.
Yr Iesu sy’n cryfhau
O’m mewn ei waith trwy ras
Mae’n rhoddi nerth i’m henaid gwan
I faeddu mhechod cas
Gogoniant byth am drefn
Y cymod a’r glanhad.
Derbyniaf Iesu fel yr wyf
A chanaf am y gwaed.
Recessional Hymn
Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more...
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
be thou still my Strength and Shield...
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of deaths and hell’s destruction
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to Thee...
LAST VISIT TO THE HOLY HOUSE
All turn to face the Holy House, as we say together:
Now Lord you have kept your word
Let your servant go in peace.
With my own eyes I have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now and ever
shall be world without end. Amen.
Prayer to Our Lady of Walsingham
O Mary,
recall the solemn moment when Jesus,
your divine Son, dying on the cross,
confided us to your maternal care.
You are our Mother;
we desire ever to remain your devout children.
Let us therefore feel the effects
of your powerful intercession with Jesus Christ.
Make your name again glorious in this place,
once renowned throughout our land
by your visits, favours and many miracles.
Pray, O Holy Mother of God,
for the conversion of England and Wales,
restoration of the sick, consolation for the afflicted,
repentance of sinners, peace to the departed.
O Blessed Mary, Mother of God,
Our Lady of Walsingham, intercede for us. Amen.
Let us thank God for all the blessings of our Pilgrimage and ask Our Lady of Walsingham to pray for us as we return to our daily lives:
O Mary, Mother of Jesus,
I thank God through your Son,
for the grace of a happy pilgrimage,
and for all that has happened to me
while I have been here.
Pray for all those I have met here
and for all my fellow pilgrims.
Pray that I may have a safe
and happy return home,
and that God may give me the grace
to do at home
what you have taught me to do here.
Lord Jesus,
hear us.
Our Lady of Walsingham,
pray for us.
St Joseph,
pray for us.
Holy Family of England’s Nazareth
Protect us who hope and trust in you.
Dear Mother of our Saviour Christ
we hail thee, and depart.
Our pilgrimage is now complete,
we leave petitions at thy feet
Enfold them in thy heart
Be with us as we journey home
Mother of God, we pray.
Make us to love thy blessed Son
and may his holy will be done
in duty day by day.
O holy house of Walsingham!
Here would we ever dwell
but Jesus calls us to the strife
and tumults of our daily life
Our Lady’s Shrine, “Farewell”
Let us go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Enter the Mystery 