THE P RTAL
June 2017 Page 18
The Guild of Our Lady of Ransom
Derek Williams explains what it us and how it works
The Guild was established in 1897 by Father Philip Fletcher and Lister Drummond Q . C . They chose the title , Our Lady of Ransom , as they saw a spiritual parallel with the work of the medieval Ransomers ( The Order of Mercedarians ) a religious order that raised funds to ransom Christian captives from Islamic slavery . Through the members of the Guild they wished to ransom the country back as Mary ’ s Dowry by ransoming individuals from the darkness of unbelief and heresy into the light of the Catholic Faith .
When Fr Fletcher and Mr Drummond presented themselves to Pope Leo XIII in February 1897 with the Guild , he prophesied , ‘ When England returns to Walsingham , Our Lady will return to England .” With these words , Pope Leo gave a strong bond to the work of the Guild and the reestablishment of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham .
A mere six months later , August 20th , Fr Fletcher led the first post reformation Catholic pilgrimage from his parish in King ’ s Lynn to Walsingham . The Guild of Our Lady of Ransom has a threefold mission : 1 . The conversion of England and Wales 2 . The return of the lapsed 3 . Prayers for the forgotten dead .
To achieve these aims the Guild has , historically , organised pilgrimages , given talks in Churches all over the nation , held an annual novena at the time of the Walsingham Walk , published books , and organised various other events including the annual requiem Mass . Under normal circumstances this would all be done with a ‘ Master ’ at the helm .
Sadly , the last Master , Mgr Anthony Stark , retired a few years ago after many years of devoted service , and he has not yet been replaced . Since then the Guild has been run by an Executive Council led by clergy and laity . The Guild is also known for its Poor Parishes Fund whereby , every December , it gives away over £ 250,000 to every diocese in England and Wales . This enables many poor parishes to continue their own mission to the Catholics of these nations and work towards the conversion of England and Wales .
In June 2016 , the Executive Council agreed a partnership deal with the new Rector of the Walsingham Shrine , Mgr John Armitage . The administration of the Guild was moved from Southwark to Walsingham and handed over to me . The intention was made clear on my first meeting with Mgr Armitage . The primary
mission of the Guild is the conversion of England and Wales .
My task since 1990 has been evangelisation , for 15 years as a full time Catholic Lay Evangelist giving retreats , leading parish seminars , and speaking at Catholic conferences both at home and abroad . The role for the Guild currently involves renewing the Guild through communication with Ransomers , a new and updated newsletter and a new website focussing more on the New Evangelisation . With this in mind our annual lecture this September will be given by Fr John Saward , an outstanding lecturer , who will be talking about ‘ England ’ s Nazareth and England ’ s Conversion ’ at Westminster Cathedral Hall on Wednesday 13th September at 7.15pm . All are welcome .
All are welcome to become members of the Guild and are required to pray the Guild prayer daily for the conversion of England and Wales , to be active in their parishes where possible , and to attend the various Guild events .
To find out more visit www . guild-ransom . co . uk and to become a member please contact me at the Guild office : info @ guild-ransom . co . uk or The Guild of Our Lady of Ransom , Pilgrim Bureau , Friday Market Place , Walsingham . NR22 6EG .