THE P
RTAL
A Walsingham summer
Joanna Bogle has had a Walsingham summer – and it ’ s not yet over
Things began with the New Dawn conference at the beginning of August . Not heard of it ? Nor had I until a few years ago – and it ’ s been going for a couple of decades . When I did hear about it , I wasn ’ t sure it was quite my scene – it ’ s linked to the Charismatic Renewal movement and I imagined some wild happyclappy hymns and great exhortations to achieve a sense of excitement .
September 2017 Page 4
Auntie
Joanna writes
But the reality of New Dawn includes a glorious Marian procession down Walsingham ’ s Holy Mile – over a thousand people praying the Rosary and singing “ Ave , Ave , Ave Maria ” between each Mystery ... and then , before Mass in the Priory ruins in the village , a choir singing the Salve Regina , the same chant that the monks used on their last evening , following the forced closure by government bureaucrats under Henry VIII …
The week also included some music that I rather doubt will stand the test of time – but it accompanied inspirational talks and an evening centred on the Sacrament of Reconciliation with priests dispersed across the wide meadow hearing confessions with long lines of penitents …
My own involvement with New Dawn involved giving various talks – including one on “ The Gender Agenda ” which was well received , and it ’ s a topic to which I ’ ll be returning in the pages of The Portal in due course .
An abiding memory of the week was a simple but powerful one : children romping around , grown-ups chatting , singing coming from a big tent – and the ringing of a small bell as a priest carried the Blessed Sacrament across the field , and everyone dropping to their knees in an unaffected and natural way , the children doing it without being told , and a golden evening light making the whole scene absolutely unforgettable .
And then , after a quick whizz home to organise domestic arrangements , off to Walsingham again – this time via a 20-mile-a-day Walk led by the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph . I joined the group at Swaffham , so only walked the last 30 miles – oh , and it was glorious .
Fabulous countryside , a most beautiful Mass in the ancient church at Castle Acre by kind invitation of the Rector , and great hospitality in the village hall at West Raynham , again by Anglican hospitality .
Here we had a wonderful Evensong in the old ruined church of St Margaret , led by the Revd Edward Bundock , whose wife gave us two great trays of the most delicious fruit cake …
Norfolk in summer sunshine – and in summer rain – was enchanting : fields and lanes and birdsong and wide skies .
The Sisters are great friends of the Ordinariate and its prospering was one of the intentions we brought in prayer . And at Walsingham , we were given front-row places as we made our footsore way into the shrine church of Our Lady of Reconciliation , and added our voices to the singing at a packed Sunday Mass .
I ’ m returning to Walsingham again shortly for the Youth 2000 annual gathering : again some talks and workshops . And then – saving perhaps the best till last – the LOGS ( Ladies Ordinariate Group ) are having a special few days there in September , to pray and be together to plan for the future and invoke Our Lady ’ s intercession for all that we are seeking to do . This will be a quiet time : not talks and workshops , but reflection and friendship ...
Next time you are feeling gloomy about the spiritual state of our country , remember Walsingham . New chapters of its history are being written now in this 21st century . And the Ordinariate has been entrusted to Mary ’ s care under this special title , just at the time when there is a sense of revival at the Shrine and new things happening . Our Lady of Walsingham , pray for us ...