THE CELL OF THE HOLY HOUSE

OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM AND ST GABRIEL

What is a Cell?
It’s a small group of people who are united for a specific purpose.

What is the purpose of our Cell?
It is to honour Mary Mother of Jesus, to promote pilgrimage to Walsingham, to spread the catholic faith and encourage and support the Youth Pilgrimage to Walsingham.

How do we put this into practice?
We meet 6 times each year, specifically the nearest Saturday to the Annunciation of Our Lord (25 March), the Assumption of Our Lady (15 August) and the translation of the statue of Our Lady from the parish church of Walsingham to the Shrine church (15 October). Our other meetings are around the last Saturday in August, the first Saturday in December, and during the week’s pilgrimage in June.

What happens at the meetings?
I n all instances except the June meeting, which takes place at Walsingham, we join the parish for the Healing Eucharist at 12 noon on the relevant Saturday. After which everyone, whether a member or a visitor, is invited to lunch. This is a simple two-course meal with a glass of wine (except in Lent when its squash). This is informal with catching up with friends and anyone who hasn’t been well. Then either Fr Keith or myself shares the news from Walsingham and discusses if there is any needs we can address, for and on behalf of the pilgrims both young and old.

After which we have a formal period of prayer sometimes this takes the form of rosary (help given to newcomers) and ending with Benediction.

How do you join in
Just come along we welcome new people, and there is no pressure to join unless you wish. Why not just try once and see if you enjoy it. We take great pride in our support for the young people who go on Youth Pilgrimage and last year paid for 5 new tents to make sure they stay warm and dry whilst away in Norfolk in the middle of August!

mavis

Walsingham Secretary

Annual Pilgrimage to Walsingham June 2008

Monday 9th. It was really exciting for all of us to gather together on Monday morning at 9 o’clock, I hadn’t seen Chris since last year so we had a great deal of news to share. Tricia was there to wave us off and we were sad that she would not be with us as her father was so ill. We missed her but our prayers were constantly sent to both her and her father.
First stop as usual was the White Horse at East Barsham for lunch, this is always a treat we all look forward to and we weren’t let down. The food was delicious and put us in the holiday (pilgrimage) spirit before heading for the
village and the Shrine.
We found our rooms and unpacked arranging to meet for Mass at 5, Shrine prayers and then supper. Fr Keith gave a talk on Meeting God where we are – when alone after we had eaten and then to the pub to digest all he had said with a few glasses of refreshment.

Tuesday 10th. Mass at 8.15 a bit bleary eyed as we brought forward the names of the sick to be remembered, those in the parish and those known to us personally. After breakfast it was on tour with Scilla, this time it was to the Glaven churches, and for the first time we stopped for coffee halfway through in Cley, where shopping in the pottery and smokehouse was achieved. Returning to the Shrine Refectory for lunch and then we had been invited to visit the Convent where Sister Phyllis showed us the Chapel and talked to us about the life of a nun. She was good fun and it was quite eye opening but understandable that living in a house of women is not always easy ! The service of Reconciliation and Benediction is on Tuesday and we had sprinkling and the oils which is always a moving experience. Especially as Fr North had trouble getting under my fringe to make the sign of the cross on my forehead and it got a little giggly! Sorry Father. Then off to the pub.

Wednesday 11th. The concelebrated Mass is one of the highlights of our visit as Fr Keith joins the other priests at the High Altar. This is at 11 o’clock in the morning so we take time to visit the Roman Catholic Shrine beforehand. On our return Ann, Chris and Mary were asked to hand out the books and a jolly good job they did too. We had to eat lunch rather more quickly than usual as we had to get to Sheringham by 3pm to take a ride on a steam train. All the pilgrims had a good time while Fr Keith had a snooze. The station was 1950’s and there was even a Stationmaster. We all took photos and bought bits from the shop. It was the procession of Our Lady in the evening and we went round the gardens singing the pilgrim hymn and then it was Benediction. Fr Pascale the Franciscan gave the talk which made a nice change from the Shrine Priests.
Then off to the pub.

Thursday 15th. Early Mass at 8.15 which was a requiem when we all bought the names we wished to be remembered, this is a very moving Mass and one we all make sure we do not miss. Also Fr Keith blesses any gifts that we have bought and left on the altar. Today was a whole day out, something we have never done before and this
turned out to be an absolute triumph. We went to Norwich Cathedral where Fr Keith had arranged for a guide (Gareth .. Oh Yes very nice young man) to walk us through and explain all the different aspects that would have been
missed had we been on our own. This lasted over an hour by which time we all ready for lunch which was eaten in the Cathedral restaurant. Then we split into two groups, half going into the city and half to the market. We met up
again about 4 to hurtle back to Walsingham in time for Shrine prayers and supper. At 7.30pm we gathered as a group for our personal and parish intercessions which has become an annual discipline whilst on pilgrimage. Fr Keith then gave a talk Meeting God where we are – with others. Then to the pub.

Friday 16th (Our last day) The highlight is always Stations of the Cross which we have in the Barn Chapel all sitting in a circle and those who wished to read a station from the handbook. It is a very moving experience and one we all look forward to. Then we go the Norton Room for refreshments and to write cards to those people left behind that we had prayed for during the various Masses.
Lunch is very relaxed as we are often the last group left and we mix and talk with the staff who make our visit so comfortable. 1.30pm Last visit to the Holy House, load up the coach and home – tired but happy.

Do try and join us next year it really is a pilgrimage you will never
forget, lifelong friends made and a great deal of laughter.

Mavis - Pilgrim Organiser

D a t e s   f o r   2 0 0 9

5 Day Pilgrimage
Monday 18th May - Friday 22nd May 2009
Please note change of month
(still to be conformed with Walsingham)

One Day Pilgrimage
Bank Holiday Monday 25th May 2009
National Pilgrimage to Walsingham

One Day Pilgrimage
Bank Holiday Monday 31st August 2009
Pilgrimage of Healing and Reconcilliation

Weekend Pilgrimage
Friday 9th October - Sunday 11th October 2009