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Our Lady's Mirror
Summer 1938
Procession leaving
the parish church
Great alterations have had to be made in the Shrine gardens owing to the extension of the
Church. The lower gardens in which stand the Hatcham Crucifix and the Piscena, have had to have new
steps and paving, both to and from the North Porch, and the upper gardens, and also on the terrace at
the South end of which a beautiful niche has been constructed containing a figure of S. Teresa of
Lisieux. A low retaining wall has had to be built opposite the sixth Station, above the steep slope
opposite to the new Sacristies. A path goes right round the outside of the new buildings along which
those making the Stations pass. Stations Nos. 1 and 2 remain in their original positions, while 3 and 4
are at the East end, outside of the Church, No. 5 is in its original position.
On all sides we hear praise of the new building, and we cannot go to press without expressing gratitude
to the Architects, Messrs Milner and Craze, for their splendid achievement. To raise a really beautiful
Church with very little money at one’s disposal is no easy task, but this has been done in a wonderful
way despite the financial and other difficulties which had to be overcome.
THE BLESSING OF THE EXTENSIONS TO THE PILGRIMAGE CHURCH
By Saturday, June 4th, the Hospice of Our Lady was full of guests, and all that day and during Sunday
pilgrims were arriving. On Whit-Sunday several Masses were said in the Holy House and the Chapels of
the original building, the new parts remaining closed off until the hallowing on Whit-Monday.
In one sense the functions may be said to have commenced on Sunday with the High Mass in the Parish
Church, when St. Mary’s was packed with parishioners and visitors. Bishop O’Rorke was present and
preached a wonderful sermon which kept the large congregation spellbound.
Then later on the portable Altar Stones were anointed, the relics were enclosed, the cavities sealed and
the Stones consecrated by the Bishop, and then placed in the Altars in preparation for the Mass to be
said at the High Altar the next day.
After Solemn Evensong and during Father Alban Baverstock’s sermon, the Archbishop Nestor,
accompanied by Archimandrite Nicholas Gibbes and Father Polski arrived and at the conclusion of the
discourse were met and conducted to places in the Sanctuary for Benediction.
Great anxiety had been expressed whether the weather would be favourable or not, but Monday
dawned a perfect day, cool, but brilliantly sunshiny. Masses commenced in the Parish Church at 6
o’clock and also at the Holy House, and motors and char-a-bancs began to arrive quite early in the
morning. Parties from Birmingham, Yorkshire, Scotland, Cornwall, S. Leonard’s-on-Sea, Oxford, indeed
from all over the country, poured into the village.
By half-past eleven, the streets were thronged by pilgrims making their way to the Parish Church to
take their places in the procession.
At 12 o’clock precisely, as announced, the procession started, pausing for the singing of the Easter
Angelus. It took exactly one hour less three minutes to pass a particular place on the route, where it
was timed. First came troops of Scouts with their banners, then headed by marshals, behind whom
walked the thurifer, cross and torches, leading the long rows of dark-habited nuns and other Religious,
with the Abbot of Nashdom in the rear accompanied by one of his monks.
After the procession of the Religious, a group of children dressed in white carried the parish banner of
Our Lady of Walsingham, bedecked with flowers and streamers of ribbon. Then came the procession of
the Priest Associates of the Holy House, headed by crucifier and lights. A hundred and fifty of the two
hundred and fifty associates were in this procession vested in soutane and cotta. The little procession of
the Eastern Orthodox Clergy, again headed by cross and lights, came next. First walked the Archbishop
Nestor in golden mitre and splendid robes, the train of which was borne by two boys from the little
Norfolk village of Gresham; another boy carried his Episcopal staff. Behind His Grace, with train also
carried by servers, walked the Archimandrite Nicholas and the Archimandrite Nathaniel, followed by
Orthodox Priests. Then led by yet another cross with supporting torches and preceded by the Verger of
the Shrine in his scarlet robe, came the College of the Guardians, first the lay, then the Priest members
and the Master. Behind the College attended by servers, and two Fathers from Mirfield who acted as
Deacons of Honour, walked Bishop O’Rorke, vested in pontificals. Following the Bishop came the wives
of the Guardians, Mr. Craze, the Architect, and then between three and four thousand lay pilgrims,
many in the blue veils of the Society of Mary, others in the insignia of the different Societies of which
they are members.
The village streets were festooned with flags and bunting. During the procession, the Priest-Associates
acting as cantors, most ably conducted by Father Thomas, O.S.B., sang first the Litany of Our Lady and
then the Litany of the Saints, to the traditional tones, the rest of the people making the responses.
Arrived at the pilgrim Church the Religious and Priests formed up on either side of the West doors, while
the Bishop standing in the midst, said the opening prayers of the form of blessing Churches and
Oratories, after which, accompanied by the Guardians, the Bishop and his attendants passed through
the original building and then outside made the circuit of the new parts, aspersing the walls above and
below with holy water, during which those in attendance upon him recited the “Miserere” and the crowds
at the West end of the Church sang the popular hymn, “Faith of Our Fathers.”
Returning to the courtyard, further prayers were recited and then the Bishop proceeded to the fauld-
stool before the High Altar, while the remainder of the Litany was being said. Unfortunately at this point
there was a serious hitch; according to plan the Priest Associates and the Religious should have come
into the Church behind the Bishop, but as so often is likely to happen, when it is impossible to have a
full practice with all concerned in a function, for some reason or other a counter order was given and
they remained in the courtyard with the result that the strains of the Litany could scarcely be heard
within the Church. The Bishop blessed the Altar and Church, and then proceeded to circulate round the
whole of the interior of the building, again aspersing the walls above and below, while the Choir in the
gallery sang the three Psalms appointed. This aspersion having been made, the last prayer said, the
Bishop and his attendants, withdrew to seats at the Epistle side of the Choir, and the Archbishop and the
Archimandrites to places at the Gospel side. The Guardians attending occupied seats in temporary stalls
put up for the occasion.
While the Altar was being vested the hymn, “Mother of Christ” was sung. The belated Priests filed in and
took up their position behind the High Altar and above it in the Chapel of the Coronation (C.B.S.), and
soon the whole building was packed from end to end by a standing crowd of over a thousand pilgrims;
in the meantime others took up positions in the courtyard at the West front to listen to the relay of the
Service in the Shrine, while others proceeded to the gardens in order to assist at the High Mass sung
there by Father Raybould of S. Julian, Norwich. The Servers and singers were all members of the
congregation of S. Julian with S. Peter Parmentergate, Norwich. Within the Church, the Mass was sung
in the presence of the Archbishop and Bishop and assisting prelates, by Father Hope Patten, the Parish
Priest of Walsingham, who is also Administrator of the Shrine, assisted by Father Thomas, O.S.B., as
Deacon, and Father Derrick Lingwood, the Bursar of the College of Guardians, acting as Sub-Deacon. All
the Servers and Choir, with the exception of Mr Oliver Richards, an old Choirmaster of the Parish Church
of Walsingham who came to assist, were Servers and Choir of the Parish Church. Despite practices, a
certain amount of confusion was almost inevitable, as the aisles on either side of the Altar, reserved for
the Servers, were soon crowded by pilgrims, which does not tend to make serving under these unusual
conditions, too easy. Mass ended, a Solemn Te Deum was sung as an act of thanksgiving to God for the
completion of this further work in the restoration of the Shrine. A visit was then made to the Holy House
where Our Lady was saluted by three “Hail, Marys” and the repetition of the Easter Anthem. The
ceremonies were concluded by 2.15.
A rush was made to the Refectory and four marquees set up in the garden to secure lunch, while the
village was also sought by many; numbers of pilgrims, however, preferred to bring their own picnic
meals, and sat in groups on the grass. During the afternoon, the strains of the “Stabat Mater,” were
repeatedly heard above the murmur of voices of the assembled pilgrims, as different groups conducted
by their Priests made the Stations of the Cross. A continuous procession of people passed through the
Holy House, stopping for a few brief moments to offer their prayers and then pass on to give room for
others, while for hours on end a stream of people waited their turn to drink and be sprinkled at the Holy
Well.
During the afternoon the Archbishop and his attendants with their Choir visited the Holy House and
sang a Te Deum in honour of Our Lady; at the conclusion of which the Rosary was started, the vast
crowds within and without the Church joining in; the whole of the afternoon as well as the Morning
Services being relayed.
After a popular hymn, Father Biggart, C.R., delivered an oration, which will be found elsewhere in this
number of the Mirror , and then followed Benediction of the most Holy Sacrament.
By 6 o’clock the cars and char-a-bancs were moving away crowded by happy pilgrims, making their
homeward journey.
Monday, June 6th, was one of the most wonderful days in the history of the revival of the Holy House,
and we trust a day that will bring much blessing and spiritual consolation to many a soul. Over six
thousand people visited the Holy House on that day.
The following morning at 9 o’clock, Archbishop Nestor, assisted by the Archimandrites Nicholas and
Nathaniel, and other Ministers and Servers, sang the “Holy Orthodox Liturgy” at which Bishop O’Rorke
assisted in cope and mitre, attended by Father Patten and Father Lingwood, Prince Galitzine acted as
lector and administered the lavabo to His Grace. During the Mass special mention was made by name of
Bishop O’Rorke, Father Patten and Father Lingwood and the Archbishop not only personally came from
the Altar to incense them, but also to give each of them the kiss of peace.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy bread was blessed and distributed by the Archbishop to all at the Altar
and in the congregation.
This wonderful conclusion to the Blessing of the Extension was, we believe, the first time the “Orthodox
Liturgy” has been offered in Walsingham ever, and we hope and pray that it may be the beginning of
new relations culminating in complete reunion of the great Churches of the East with those of
Canterbury and York and the Churches in communion with them.
DO YOU KNOW?
1. That there were not enough cows in Walsingham to supply the milk needed for the pilgrims’ tea on
Whit-Monday?
2. That a pilgrim lost her purse and great search was made for it at Walsingham on Bank Holiday and
the days following until we heard she hadn’t brought it with her at all?
3. That pilgrim bannerets in paper depicting the interior of the Holy House and pilgrims of all ages can
be had, price 4d. each or 6d. post free, from the Crafts Guild Shop?
4. That 106 pilgrims had breakfast at the Clock Restaurant, Welwyn, on the way to Walsingham on June
6th, and between them they only left 4d. in tips?
5. That some of the Orthodox visitors to the Shrine on Whit-Monday said it was the happiest day they
had had since leaving Russia?
6. That we hope to have a similar day pilgrimage as an annual event every Whit-Monday?
7. That over 6,000 people passed through the Holy House on the Monday in Whit week?
8. That 1,400 pilgrims and visitors visited the Shrine in the first week of July?
9. That the Chapels of the Society of Our Lady of Walsingham and the Priest Associates have both been
built by the members of these two Societies, but that they now have to be furnished and fitted up so
that Mass can be said in them?
10. That for the organisation of the pilgrimage at the Blessing of the Extension over a hundred people of
the village were commandeered?
11. That the Pilgrim’s Church accommodated over 900 people for the first Mass at the High Altar?
12. That we are trying to buy a few chairs (to a pattern) for the use of pilgrims, but until they are
obtained it would be well for visitors to bring their own camp stools if they desire to secure a seat?
articles: Sermon preached by Fr Biggart on June 6th at the blessing of the extension; address by
Archbishop Nestor after the Liturgy on June 7th
photographs: sixteen, all of the opening of the extension [the Shrine Church]; one is shown above.