Going on pilgrimage to Walsingham

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JoyToTheWhirled

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I’m in a strange place. After literally years of battling mental and physical health issues, literally full of dread and fear from the moment I awoke, I find myself in employment, volunteering, enjoying a social life and genuinely happy.
I have taken decades to become Catholic, and I am finally there, and it feels like the conclusion to a life’s quest.

Only my life is so far from over! I’ve realized that so much in my life has been about running from a sense of calling, and now I feel I have responded to each call that has been put on my heart, I am actually a little bit lost!

Obviously, I knew there would new horizons opening up to me once I became Catholic, I just feel a little overwhelmed by sense of ‘what now?’

So, not this Saturday, but the Saturday after, I am going with my parish on a Walsingham pilgrimage, and I am giving the whole day to Our Lord to ask what next? I am going to ask Our Lady to intercede that I would be guided into His will for me, because I don’t want to waste another twenty years fighting against it!

Has anyone here been to Walsingham?
 
JoyToTheWhirled said:
I’m in a strange place. After literally years of battling mental and physical health issues, literally full of dread and fear from the moment I awoke, I find myself in employment, volunteering, enjoying a social life and genuinely happy.
I have taken decades to become Catholic, and I am finally there, and it feels like the conclusion to a life’s quest.

Only my life is so far from over! I’ve realized that so much in my life has been about running from a sense of calling, and now I feel I have responded to each call that has been put on my heart, I am actually a little bit lost!

Obviously, I knew there would new horizons opening up to me once I became Catholic, I just feel a little overwhelmed by sense of ‘what now?’

So, not this Saturday, but the Saturday after, I am going with my parish on a Walsingham pilgrimage, and I am giving the whole day to Our Lord to ask what next? I am going to ask Our Lady to intercede that I would be guided into His will for me, because I don’t want to waste another twenty years fighting against it!

Has anyone here been to Walsingham?
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Never been to Walsingham; God willing, one day.

Our Lady of Walsingham, however, is easily my favourite representation of our Lady. I have an image in my prayer corner. I like it way better than more popular/familiar representations such as Lourdes or Fatima.
 
I have never been to England at all, but I like the idea of going with a group of pilgrims, and thought it would be interesting since I read the Canterbury Tales as a school boy
 
I certainly shall! I’m not quite sure how to upload them on the forum, but I may well link to my Instagram and post them there!
 
Yes, I’m quite keen, being a proud (in a self-deprecating kind of way) Englishwoman. I’m fascinated by the Marian heritage of my country.
 
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JoyToTheWhirled said:
Has anyone here been to Walsingham?
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Yes I have been to Walsingham several times .

I hope you enjoy the peace of England’s Nazareth .

May it be a time when you are able to be still and to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit .

In the Holy Spirit Chapel next to the Slipper Chapel is , or used to be , this prayer by Cardinal Mercier (1851-1926) .

"I am going to reveal to you the secret of sanctity and happiness. Every day for five minutes control your imagination and close your eyes to the things of sense and your ears to all the noises of the world in order to enter into yourself .Then, in the sanctity of your baptized soul (which is the Temple of the Holy Spirit), speak to that Divine Spirit, saying to Him:

“Holy Spirit, soul of my soul, I adore you; enlighten, guide, strengthen and console me; tell me what I ought to do and command me to do it. I promise to be submissive in everything that you ask of me and to accept all that you permit to happen to me, only show me what is your will…”

“If you do this, your life will flow along happily, serenely, and full of consolation, even in the midst of trials. Grace will be proportioned to the trial, giving you the strength to carry it, and you will arrive at the gate of Paradise, laden with merit. This submission to the Holy Spirit is the secret of sanctity.”
 
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I am sure you are going to have a wonderful time. Be open and let the Spirit work in you.
 
I hope you find peace in my native Norfolk. I went to Walsingham when I was ten. It’s truly gorgeous. 🙂
 
I’m about to wind down and get my bag ready for my trip tomorrow. I shall have to be up at 5am to get to the coach on time. Looks like the weather will be breezy and there will likely be some rain. Feeling really quite nervous - I don’t know anyone else who is going, and I find travel logistics tremendously anxiety-inducing. Please, if you are minded to, I would appreciate it if you could say a prayer for me to cope, and really have an open heart to God.
 
JoyToTheWhirled said:
I’m about to wind down and get my bag ready for my trip tomorrow. I shall have to be up at 5am to get to the coach on time. Looks like the weather will be breezy and there will likely be some rain. Feeling really quite nervous - I don’t know anyone else who is going, and I find travel logistics tremendously anxiety-inducing. Please, if you are minded to, I would appreciate it if you could say a prayer for me to cope, and really have an open heart to God.
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Enjoy your time in Walsingam .

May you find what the Father wants for you there .

And remember us .

 
Have a Great Time! I hope that your trip brings you closer to God. I am sure it will. Remember, God is using this opportunity to grow closer to you.

I remember you from the old site. You seem like a nice person. I think this will end up being a great experience for you.

You are in my prayers.

HS
 
Is there a good book or online resource for places to visit in the UK for pilgrimages purposes or for historic Catholic purposes? 😊

We may be visiting in August!🌷
 
It is on my bucket list!
Are you familiar with Joanna Bogle and her work in England for Catholicism? She conducts Catholic historic walking tours in and around London, and her blog is worth reading. Her tours are also on my bucket list!
 
Good evening! I am on the coach home, after a long, amazing day. I’ll add a little more when I am home and on the house WiFi, but just wanted to say thank you to you all for your encouragement and prayers. I lit a candle for all of you at the shrine just outside the Slipper chapel. It was one of the most wonderful days of my life.
 
JoyToTheWhirled said:
Good evening! I am on the coach home, after a long, amazing day. I’ll add a little more when I am home and on the house WiFi, but just wanted to say thank you to you all for your encouragement and prayers. I lit a candle for all of you at the shrine just outside the Slipper chapel. It was one of the most wonderful days of my life.
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That’s wonderful . 😃
 
Well now, I have woken up with a full heart. The whole day yesterday was saturated with prayer. Rosaries, hymns and litanies in the coach on the way there. Beautiful weather. New friends made. I managed to get to confession, too, as well as adoration, and Mass. We all walked the holy mile and prayed a full rosary together on the way, one of the most profoundly holy moments, out in the English countryside, that I have ever been part of.

Hopefully, this is a link to some pictures on my Instagram.

 
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