Pilgrims outside the Slipper Chapel
Having made the journey from St Chrysostom’s with our friends from St Peter’s, Oughtrington we arrived yesterday evening at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, where thousands of pilgrim come each year to pray and rest, in this special place Walsingham, where Mary is believed to have visited Richeldis and instructed her to build this Church. Fellow pilgrims come together in worship and prayer, coming close to God inspired by Mary’s example and prayers, and coming close to each other as God’s church.
About a mile from the Anglican Shrine where we are staying is the Roman Catholic Shrine, where throughout the ages pilgrims have walked from the village, often barefoot, to the Slipper Chapel.
Following in their footsteps, we journeyed together, some by foot, some by coach to visit this special place. There we were joined by brothers and sister Christians from many different churches, young and old, from across the Church, some as far as India, Catholics and Anglicans together in prayer – a wonderful sign of the unity that Walsingham brings.
Upon our return, we gathered in the beautiful Roman Catholic Church of the Annunciation, where Father Michael kindly welcomed us for our Holy Hour of prayer – an hour of silence in the presence of God and alongside each other, the newness of the church consecrated in 2006 contrasting with the ancient 14th century Slipper Chapel but sharing in the unique feeling of spirituality across the ages and illustrating that wherever God’s people are gathered together Christ is present with them.
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