On Saturday 20 September, around two thousand pilgrims from the Diocese of Westminster travelled to Walsingham for the annual pilgrimage. Many came with their parish groups. In Walsingham, we spoke with parishioners from the Parish of Stevenage, whose 60-strong cohort shared why they made the journey together, and how going on pilgrimage with fellow parishioners helps to build relationships and find a place in the wider diocesan community and universal Church.
Fiona, Caroline, Marietta, and Jackie - Parishioners
So, who had the earliest start?
Caroline: 'I got up at 6, very early for me!'
Fiona: 'I got up at 6 too, but as a teacher that’s not unusual for me! But people started arriving at the church from 7 and we left at around 8 o’clock. We arrived here at half 10.'
You both came here last year, why did you both decide to come back?
Fiona: 'It was such a beautiful day last year I thought, I just have to come back, particularly as it is a jubilee year. When I decided I was going to come, I didn’t know if I would get to go on another this year. It’s always so special, particularly walking down the Holy Mile.'
Caroline: 'I feel as Catholics we should go on these pilgrimages, if anything to strengthen our own faith. And it’s a day off, I don’t have to cook!'
Why did you decide to come on the Diocesan Pilgrimage for the first time?
Jackie: 'Walsingham has just a very special feel about it, it’s a wonderful place to come.'
Marietta: “My mum has always come but I have never been able to make it. It’s our first year in Stevenage, it’s a very busy parish and I saw they had a coach coming, so I decided this was the year, because it might not happen if I don’t make it this time. But now, I will absolutely come back. It’s been amazing.'
Fr Robert Smialek – Assistant Priest
How is it you got so many to come this year?
'What we have done this year is a lot of processions: we’ve had processions for St Joseph, the end of the month of Mary, Corpus Christi, the Assumption. So they are very into this sort of thing now. And we have around 800 parishioners, so when you announce it, really advertise, and get them excited about it, they come along.'
Do you feel these events help build a parish community?
'Well, going back to processions in the parish, they bring everyone together, and events like this are where we get to meet the broader community. One of the selling points was "come see the wider diocese." Obviously it helps us form our parish together, but it helps us connect with other parishes, see other people. So yes, this is vitally important. It stops us looking in on ourselves, and opens us up to the wider Church.'
What would you say to someone who is thinking about coming on the Walsingham Pilgrimage next year?
'Just do it! That’s what I say to everyone. Life is too short to be boring! It is exciting. It connects us with our faith. Our faith explodes into moments of joy, that’s part of being Catholic. These wild moments, expressive moments of joy. And we need to come to experience this.'
Any final thoughts?
'Just "Our Lady". We come here as a family, we offer our prayers and intentions to our Blessed Mother to intercede for us. It is also a powerful place of prayer. So, people with many needs and concerns should come to this pilgrimage, because it’s a place of blessings and graces.'
