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Our Lady's Mirror
Summer 1941
after Fr Twisaday’s
installation as a
Guardian:
Fr Fynes-Clinton,
Fr Patten, FrTwisaday
Our Lady’s Mirror is fifteen years old this year, the first copy having been published in January,
1926. Looking over past numbers one is quite surprised at the interesting reading it makes.
All pilgrims know Mr William Frary, the Shrine Verger, by sight. He is now in the R.A.F., and a sad loss to
the Shrine – but we are looking forward to the happy day, not far distant, we hope, when he and all the
seventy odd men from the parish will be coming home.
A desire has been expressed to form people who belong to the S.O.L.W. living in the same town or
district, into cells or fraternities, so that their interest can be more easily stimulated and that a sense of
unity can be developed. Particulars of the creation of Fraternities have now been drawn up and are
printed in this number of the Mirror. Further, three religious communities, one in England and two in
America, have forged a link with the Shrine and it is now proposed formally to affiliate Religious
Communities and also Guilds to the Shrine, so that we can mutually share in spiritual fruits. The scheme
for this is also printed here. Copies of these schemes can be had on application by those who wish to be
affiliated or form a Fraternity.
The Assumption passed by quietly with us here. Apart from the Parish, of which this Feast is Patronal and
has, of course, its own round of services, in addition to low Masses, High Mass was sung at 11 o’clock and
Bishop O’Rorke preached. A small pilgrimage came from a village in the enclosed area and they followed
the usual programme. Benediction was given at 4 o’clock. We wish the many pilgrims who live within the
four mile belt all round the East Coast would realise that they are able to come to the Shrine, provided
they can get the conveyances, or trains to fit in. As the same time we must emphasis the fact the NO
ONE FROM OUTSIDE THE MILITARY ZONE IS ALLOWED to come to Walsingham except in the case of real
business. Priests, of course, come to take services, i.e., say Mass, etc., but lay people who insist on
breaking the military regulation, for any excuse, are endangering the reputation of the Shrine and may
cause the authorities to close the Hospice. The regulation deemed necessary by the State during war time
MUST BE SUPPORTED.
CHILDREN’S HOME
We have been most fortunate in securing Miss Lewis for the Matronship of the Home. Miss Lewis has
worked both at S. Hilary and S. Joseph’s, Hinton Martel. At the latter home she was Miss Eden’s assistant.
Many of our readers who remember S. Hugh’s Home here will recollect Miss Eden as our Matron in those
days. So the new “Mother” has known of us for a long time.
It was a sad day for the children when the news of Father Bernard Walke’s death reached us. Not only
was he the founder of S. Hilary, in Cornwall, but a real and loving father to all the boys and girls who
were there. Several of them have played in his now famous Christmas Mystery when Broadcast from S.
Hilary.
It was one of Father Walke’s great joys to know that this family had found a home here in Walsingham,
and especially that it had been adopted as the charity of the Shrine of Our Lady. We have made appeal
through the Church Times to all friends of the Father and S. Hilary to perpetuate his memory by
contributing to a Bernard Walke endowment fund for the Home, and even if only a small income is
derived in this way it will be a reminder through the coming years to pray for a loving friend and a holy
Priest.
The Hospice of Our Lady is still able to take guests who come for a long period – two months or more –
this counts as evacuation. Some ladies have been living there for several months, but there is still room
for four or five more. Early application for the winter months should be made. The Sisters here have a
reputation for good catering, even in War time. Special terms are arranged for long periods.
Early Masses and Evensong and Benediction on Sundays will soon have to be resumed at the Shrine,
which is so easily “blacked out”, so that the Parish, as last year, will be, we hope, making it their “Chapel
of ease”. The Midnight Mass of Christmas will, we presume, be sung at the Shrine again. This is all very
convenient for residents at the Hospice as it is only a minute’s walk, or less, from door to door.
articles: Details of affiliation of Guilds to the Holy House, and of Fraternities or Local Cells of the Society;
Fr Alban Baverstock, 'Anno Domini, The Significance of Walsingham'
photograph: taken on the day of Fr Twisaday's installation as a Guardian, showing (l to r) Fr Fynes-
Clinton, Fr Patten and Fr Twisaday [above]