Enter the Mystery

It’s the first day of our pilgrimage and, after a long journey, we give thanks to God. At 7.45pm, we gather in and around the Holy House for our first Visit as we humbly claim a share in Mary’s prayers, and then celebrate the the first Mass of our Pilgrimage in honour of St James the Apostle.

First Visit to the Holy House

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 ST JAMES THE APOSTLE followed by
PROCESSION of OUR LADY & BENEDICTION

Below are the hymns, readings and psalms for the Mass.  You can find the Order of Mass here which opens in a separate tab

Entrance Hymn

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"


First Reading							      
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the 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

Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
bright seraphs, cherubim, and thrones,
raise the glad strain, Alleluia!
Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers,
virtues, archangels, angels' choirs,

	Alleluia! alleluia! alleluia!
	Alleluia! alleluia! 

O higher than the cherubim,
more glorious than the seraphim,
lead their praises, Alleluia!
Thou bearer of the eternal Word,
most gracious, magnify the Lord

Respond, ye souls in endless rest,
ye patriarchs and prophets blest,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Ye holy twelve, ye martyrs strong,
all saints triumphant, raise the song

O friends, in gladness let us sing,
supernal anthems echoing,
Alleluia, alleluia!
To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, Three in One

Communion Hymn

Sweet Sacrament divine,
hid in thine earthly home,
lo, round thy lowly shrine,
with suppliant hearts we come;
Jesus, to thee our voice we raise
in songs of love and heartfelt praise:
sweet Sacrament divine.

Sweet Sacrament of peace,
dear home for every heart,
where restless yearnings cease
and sorrows all depart;
there in thine ear all trustfully
we tell our tale of misery:
sweet Sacrament of peace.

Sweet Sacrament of rest,
ark from the ocean's roar,
within thy shelter blest
soon may we reach the shore;
save us, for still the tempest raves,
save, lest we sink beneath the waves:
sweet Sacrament of rest.

Sweet Sacrament divine,
earth's light and jubilee,
in thy far depths doth shine
thy Godhead's majesty;
sweet light, so shine on us, we pray,
that earthly joys may fade away:
sweet Sacrament divine.

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,
first-begotten from the dead,
Thou alone, our strong Defender,
liftest up Thy people's head.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus, true and living Bread!

Prince of Life, for us Thou livest,
by Thy body souls are healed;
Prince of Peace, Thy peace Thou givest,
by Thy blood is pardon sealed.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Word of God in flesh revealed.

Paschal Lamb! Thine off'ring finished
once for all when Thou wast slain,
in its fullness undiminished
shall forevermore remain.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Cleansing souls from ev'ry stain.

Great High Priest of our profession,
through the oil Thou ent'redst in;
by Thy mighty intercession
grace and mercy Thou dost win.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Only sacrifice for sin.

Life-imparting heav'nly Manna,
stricken Rock, with streaming side,
heav'n and earth with loud hosanna
worship Thee, the Lamb who died.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Ris'n, ascended, glorified!

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!