CA Walsingham Retreat

On the weekend of 8th-10th April 2011 members of the Catholic Association Pilgrimage went on a retreat to Walsingham, England's National Marian Shrine, which is celebrating its 950th anniversary this year.

The retreat was led by Fr Antony Lester and organised by Mrs Pat Richardson. There were over forty attendees, including several past and present Heads of Service.

The following report comes from the British Province of the Carmelites:

"With Holy Week approaching, Fr. Antony invited his fellow Lourdes volunteers to consider what their impression of "The Passion" is, and how it has been influenced by art. He spoke of "The Passion" both as the suffering and death of Christ, and of his passion as an icon of God's passionate love for every human being.

The group stayed in Elmham House Catholic retreat centre, celebrated liturgies together in the Church of the Annunciation, and visited the various different places of worship run by different denominations in Walsingham. Many enjoyed social time in the beautiful Norfolk village, and made a trip to Wells-Next-The-Sea.

On the Sunday morning the group made the traditional Holy Mile procession along the Pilgrim's Way from the village of Little Walsingham to the Slipper Chapel in Houghton St. Giles."

Our group attended during the 950th Anniversary since the shrine was founded, and the whole CA Hospitalite received a certificate to commemorate our retreat in 2011. View here.

More information on our retreat is here.

Thank you to Fr Antony Lester and Mrs Pat Richardson on providing everyone with such a wonderful weekend. Our slideshow of photos is below (thanks to Johan Bergstrom-Allen and Terri Betts for letting us use these).