THE
P RTAL
Walsingham Supplement
called the “Dowry of Mary Pilgrimage”. It attracts over
three thousand pilgrims but of course we have many
other large outdoor pilgrimages - the biggest of which
is around twelve thousand. So our model is different
from that of the Anglican Shrine. Otherwise, we just
welcome pilgrims. There are formal contacts between
us, naturally, but to be more ecumenical must not just
mean more work!”
Jackie wanted to know if there were
implications for ecumenism with the
Ordinariate in Walsingham. Fr Alan
said, “It is the person of Mary. Is she
an obstacle to ecumenism or does
her discipleship point a way forward
in ecumenism? Roman Catholics are
astounded at Mary’s discipleship.
John Paul II said, ‘Mary is the perfect
disciple of the Lord.’ Walsingham is
a natural place for ecumenism; we
welcome Catholics, Anglicans and
even Hindus!”
Ronald took up Fr Alan’s theme
and asked if there would ever be
just one Shrine in Walsingham. Fr
Alan replied, “it has been discussed,
obviously. Meetings have been held.
Who knows? Only God knows.
There are practicalities of division.
It is important that pilgrims know
they are at a Roman Catholic or an
Anglican Shrine. So we accept the
wounds of division. We have Roman
Catholic Mass at the Slipper Chapel,
Anglicans in the village. At Lourdes
there is a welcome for all without
too much strain in welcoming
non-Catholic pilgrims. It is Divine
Providence, the development of
Walsingham. There has been only
one attempt to re-build the Holy House, and that
is Anglican. The Slipper Chapel is the gateway to
Walsingham and we have the Holy Mile between.
Long after I am gone, Walsingham could cope with
one Shrine, on the original site even? Who knows?”
Ecumenical Pilgrimages?
Would he welcome Groups having Ecumenical
Pilgrimages? Fr Alan was positive. “Delighted! The
Ordinariate is under the patronage of Our Lady
of Walsingham, considering our history it would
be very odd if the two Shrines were not involved. I
was delighted at the Reparation Pilgrimage, and the
Nottingham Diocesan Pilgrimage always starts at the
Anglican Shrine.”
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We asked about the difference of Pilgrimage
Programme between the two Shrines, Fr Alan
explained, “For Anglicans everything happens in
the village. For us the centre of the day is at Noon
with Mass at the Reconciliation Chapel. There are
Confessions every day, Eucharistic Adoration and
Benediction and Evening Prayer. In the evening there
is a Service in the Parish Church here in the village, it
may include Benediction and procession, it depends
on the groups.”
Anglican Patrimony
Anglican Patrimony is a much
discussed subject, Jackie wondered if
the Anglican Shrine at Walsingham
was part of our Anglican Patrimony?
Fr Alan said, “As you are a member of
the Ordinariate, I would have to say
‘yes’. But I need to push this a bit.
The Guardians would think it part
of the patrimony of all who come to
Walsingham, not to limit it in any
way. Bishop Lindsay is most generous
and courteous. He seeks the positive
in everything. This is a challenge
for the Ordinariate; it is part of the
contribution one can bring to the
Church and to the wider Walsingham
community. You need to know more
about us. It is easy to be blinkered and
have tunnel vision. The two Shrines
were ignorant about each other once;
not today.”
Permanent and
Named Candles
Thinking, once again about the
light burning in the Anglican Shrine
for her husband, Jackie asked about
named and permanent candles. Fr
Alan was not fazed. He said, “At the Slipper Chapel we
have the Holy Ghost Chapel which is full of candles.
We do not have the tradition of permanent candles.
Space does not permit, nor the amount of pilgrims,
lots of things. It is not our style. Leave your light where
it is.”
Before we left Fr Alan we asked him if there was
anything else he wanted to say. He said, “Yes. The
Ordinariate will get more confident. As it does it will
get more involved in Walsingham. I have already had
two meetings with Mgr Keith Newton, he is a busy
man. It would be odd it the Ordinariate was not seen
in Walsingham. The Ordinariate may come here with
confidence.”