CPG PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM

Situated in Norfolk is The National Catholic Shrine and Basilica to Our Lady, also called "Englands' Nazareth". It has been a place of pilgrimage since the 12th century. Its history can be viewed here :

Our Story - Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady

On Saturday 28 March 2026, members of the Guild (both serving and retired and family members also) participated in this years Catholic Police Guild pilgrimage to the shrine. Having travelled from various parts of the country, some had arrived the day before so were able to socialise together in the quaint and picturesque village of Walsingham itself.

At noon on Saturday our pilgrims gathered at the Basilica for Mass with the Chief Celebrant being the Rector of Walsingham Shrine Fr. Robert Billing who welcomed those from the Guild present. Our National Chaplain Fr. Barry Lomax concelebrated and assisting in the Mass was Rev Gary May, an ordained Deacon and member of the Guild.

The Mass can be viewed via the below link (just select the date 28.3.26 from the options) :-

Watch Livestream - Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady

Following Mass the pilgrims had some lunch in the Shrines' cafe which again gave an opportunity to socialise with fellow members who had made the journey that day. Following lunch, the group set off walking "The Holy Mile" which is a designated path running from the shrine back to the village of Walsingham along what used to be the railway line. The group also had the honour of carrying the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham whilst reciting the Rosary and associated Marian prayers and hymns all led by Dcn. Gary. The walk started off in a squally shower but thankfully that soon passed as the group made its way along the Holy Mile lead by the statue and the MPS' Guild standard.

Upon arriving in the village of Walsingham the group made its way into the Church of The Annunciation where the Divine Mercy Chaplet was recited and Fr. Lomax delivered a homily and gave a blessing and with that the pilgrimage had concluded, although a few of the group did stay for a second night so had the chance to socialise some more !

With thanks to Andy Nattrass for organising the pilgrimage and Fr. Barry Lomax and Rev Gary May for their liturgical assistance as well.

Some images from the pilgrimage can be found below along with the homily delivered by Fr. Lomax :

"There’s a common perception amongst some, that we Roman Catholics put far too much emphasis on Our Lady, too much devotion given to the Mother of God, that lowly “Handmaid of the Lord”, which possibly detracts in some way from any devotion given to God the Father or indeed Jesus the Son of God, allowing our Faith to be perceived as being more Mariocentric rather than Christocentric. But that misses the unique place Our Lady holds within the Church. For it is only through her generous Fiat, her YES, that God was able to bring about the Incarnation of his Son. When Mary said YES, she didn’t just say it once but said it for all time. She is the first to embrace totally with joy the will of God, making her the first amongst all followers since.

Tomorrow is Passion Sunday, or Palm Sunday, the gateway to Holy Week and all that this special week brings. It’s a difficult journey especially if we dare immerse ourselves totally within it. It’s a journey that takes us through all the emotions, from Hosanna to Crucify from despair to joy. But it is only when we have completed that journey fully, that we truly will witness the glory of God. And journeying along the Via Delarosa with her Son, is Mary the Mother of God, who, if we let her, journeys with us pilgrims too.

And that sense of journeying and belonging that we have with Mary, is through the gift of herself to us by Jesus her Son. At the foot of the Cross in the darkest moment, before He draws his dying breath, Jesus declares through the beloved disciple John, Mary to be his Mother and he, her son. At that moment we through this same dying declaration become her surrogate children and she our adopted mother. The Holy Family now has extra mouths to feed and children to care for. The flock is complete as the Prophet Ezekiel in our first reading reminds us: “they and their children and their children’s children shall dwell there for ever.” The psalmist also takes up this theme too: “The Lord guards us as a shepherd guards his flock”.

So Mary, like many mothers, helps to keep her children in check. Through her intercession she advocates to the Father through her Son Jesus for us still. Our prayers are not to her, but through her. She becomes an instrument to enable our prayers as she in turn intercedes on our behalf. In this place of pilgrimage and Marian devotion, that much sought intercession of Our Lady of Walsingham continues to this day, as countless Christian pilgrims gather to walk and pray the Holy Mile.

In herself, Our Lady is not the end goal of our prayer, but she is the means to help us focus better on the one who can answer our prayer. Her unique role within the Church as advocate, is a means to an end.

Through her, our sometimes imperfect vision becomes more focused and her example of total trust in the will of the Father is one we should endeavour to copy. Today’s Gospel reminds us that, like ourselves, the Jewish people: “were looking for Jesus”. And here in this place known to many pilgrims as “Little Nazareth”, our Lady of Walsingham points us in the right direction, not only to Jesus her Son, but to God his Father too. So, quite simply, whenever we pray for Our Lady’s intercession, we are spiritually placing our hand in hers and asking the help of someone who is uniquely close to the Trinity, to put a good word in for us, her surrogate children".