Friends of Walsingham
Occasional Paper 5
All pilgrims to the Shrine know the Knight’s Gate opposite to the Pilgrimage Church. As announced in a
former “Occasional Paper”, this has been re-let and is now beautifully furnished and decorated and should
be patronised by all visitors to the Holy House. Here, in season, luncheons, teas and morning coffee can
be had, and – a speciality – delightful dinners are served by arrangement. Visitors can also be
accommodated.
On Saturday, February 8th, our Bursar and Pilgrimage Secretary, Mr Stanley Smith, was married to Miss
Monica Frary (his secretary) in St Mary’s Church, the wedding being followed by a Nuptial Mass. As both
the bride and bridegroom are intimately connected with the Shrine and its work, the reception was held in
the pilgrimage refectory, which was made to look very festive for the occasion; it was a happy, friendly
wedding. At mid-day they went to the South Coast for their honeymoon.
Installation of a new Guardian: On Monday, June 9th, Fr Husbands of St James’ Wednesbury, was installed
as a Guardian of the Shrine, there being a vacancy. This gives us another Guardian in the Midlands, and
he has often brought his flock on pilgrimage. On official occasions member of the Chapter wear blue
velvet mantles lined with scarlet silk, and the badge of office is a gold star worn on a black and white
ribbon.
Death of a Guardian: The death of Father Raynes, till recently Superior of the Community of the
Resurrection, has doubtless shocked many people for he was known and loved by thousands, not only in
this country but in other parts of the world, particularly in South Africa for whose native population he had
so great an affection. His last great work was a Mission to Dallas and Denver, USA in the Autumn of 1957.
He had had several serious illnesses of recent years but he never spared himself, and after this Mission he
collapsed and had to be flown home. The Administrator and the Bursar attended his funeral at Mirfield.
Whit Monday: Despite the inclement weather there was an attendance of between fourteen and fifteen
hundred people for this great annual event. In spite of the downpour everyone seemed cheerful, but it is
the helpers who bear the brunt on these occasions, carting chairs, carrying dishes of food, selling hymn
sheets, etc while pilgrims can take shelter in the Shrine or the marquee. The rain stopped most
opportunely a few minutes before the procession was due to start, this following a memorable sermon by
the Reverend D N Chamberlin of the Holy Redeemer, Clerkenwell. Coaches came as usual from London
and many parts of the provinces.
Church Union Centenary: Eucharistic Congress Albert Hall, July 1 – 5:
Readers will know about this congress, whose theme is “The World for God”, and may be glad to hear that
there will be a Walsingham Display Stand among those which will surround the great arena of the Hall.
Badges entitling to admission can be obtained (price 2/6) as well as programmes, from the Organising
Secretary, 6 Hyde Park Gate, SW7. So also may tickets of admission (2/6 for each session) to the three
evening sessions or the Saturday afternoon Pageant. We may quote from the Annual Report, signed by
the Master of Lauderdale MP (President), Father Colin Gill (Chairman) and Father Coleman (Secretary):-
“The Congress is not an isolated event. It marks the opening of our Centenary Year, which concludes in
May 1959. The message of the Congress will be taken by teams of speakers to local Congress meetings
which are to be held from April 27th to May 1st 1959 in most parts of the country . . . . . . The Centenary
events end with a National Pilgrimage to Walsingham on Saturday, May 2nd 1959, when it is hoped that a
special train from London and coaches from all parts of the country will bring thousands of our members
together in a final act of thanksgiving.”
Mr Maitland [The Master of Lauderdale, MP], as President, adds this postscript to the Report:-
“Now the Centenary Year has arrived I hope we can at last shed the outlook of an embattled minority. We
can thank God for wonderful blessings over the past 100 years including the now widespread recognition
of the Catholic Revival. I propose to begin my celebration of the Centenary by a private pilgrimage to the
National Shrine of the Incarnation – the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham – on June 28th, to give thanks
and to implore God’s blessings on all that we hope to try to do in His Name in the future. It would be most
pleasing to see other men members of the CU there at the same time.”
Friends of Walsingham Occasional Paper Number 5 June 1958
Walsingham Notes: Many Friends of Walsingham will have seen the March issue of “Church
Illustrated” with the spirited account of the Shrine and its revival, written by Mr Ivor Bulmer
Thomas and illustrated by admirably produced photographs taken from the source of those in Fr
Patten’s book “Mary’s Shrine”. Any readers who are interested in obtaining copies of this
number of “Church Illustrated” may apply to the Hon Secretary of the Appeal Committee, St
Luke’s Vicarage, Mayfield Road, N8, enclosing 6d per copy.