Our Lady of Walsingham The Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady in Walsingham, England has experienced the “biggest pilgrimage season” in its history, according to the shrine’s rector.
The shrine, established by the noblewoman Richeldis de Faverches after she experienced a series of Marian apparitions in 1061, was forced to close and cancel pilgrimages due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite this, Msgr John Armitage said that people from 135 countries had taken part virtually in a 24-hour livestream programme and he had been inundated with letters of gratitude.
“We’ve probably had the biggest pilgrimage season so far because we’ve had thousands upon thousands of people every day joining us for our programme,” says Msgr Armitage.
Lockdown
“There are those who have been in lockdown, like the rest of the world. They’re grateful that it’s given them a spiritual framework during this time.
“But much more important,” he continues, “it’s given a spiritual framework for those who’ve been in lockdown for years. The elderly, the disabled, those who are never going to come out again.
“And I don’t say we forgot them, but what’s happened is that we’ve discovered a way to connect.”