The Shrine Church is situated in beautiful grounds close to the centre of the medieval village of Little Walsingham.

Built in the twentieth century the Shrine Church is where the Holy House is located - a replica of the home in Nazareth of Joseph, Mary and Jesus (the Holy Family) - and where the Guardians of the Shrine have their stalls (see below for information on the Guardians).

Within the Holy House is the image of Our Lady of Walsingham, carved in 1922 and copied from the seal of the medieval Priory which was suppressed in 1538.

This modern church reminds us of unbroken pilgrimage for about a thousand years. The unique spirit of Walsingham is there amongst the pilgrims, as people of all ages celebrate and pray together.

In addition to pilgrimage devotions, there are daily celebrations of the Eucharist, Evening Prayer, and Shrine Prayers - the daily offering of all prayer requests received by email, telephone and letter.

Sprinkling at the Holy Well

Water from the well has always played an important part in the worship at Walsingham. We are told that the original sign to the Lady Richeldis as to the exact position she was to build the Holy House was the springing up of water from the ground. Fr Patten was thrilled when, as the foundations of the Shrine Church was being dug in 1931, the workman uncovered an old disused well. Cleaned out and repaired, the well (pictured below) has for more than 75 years gushed out water of beautiful quality.

The Procession of Our Lady

The highlight of pilgrimage to Walsingham! Every Saturday and Wednesday evening between Easter and the end of October, the Procession of OLW wends it candlelit way around the gardens. The statue of OLW is affixed to a howdah and supported on the shoulders of four trusty pilgrims. The image is preceded and followed by everyone else, singing the Walsingham Pilgrim Hymn.  The pilgrims are accompanied by the Shrine Church organ, which is relayed out into the gardens.  A wonderful sight! (see left)

Sprinkling is a healing service. After listening to a short address and prayers, the pilgrims make their way to the well where they receive a sip of the water, are signed with cross on their foreheads and then have water poured through their hands.

Benediction

In this service the presence of Our Lord Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar is celebrated.

The Host (bread), consecrated at Mass, is placed in the monstrance so that we can see it. There are hymns and prayers in honour of the wonderful truth that God, in Christ, remains among us always under the form of bread and wine in the Blessed Sacrament. The service ends with the blessing - Benediction - and we know the warmth of God's blessing in our lives.

The Procession of The Blessed Sacrament

As part of the Sunday afternoon service of Benediction, the great monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament (the bread consecrated at Mass) is solemnly carried in procession around the gardens, accompanied by the pilgrims singing the great Thomas Aquinas hymn, Lauda Sion. On return to the Shrine Church there are prayers and then benediction is given
(pictured below).

THE  GUARDIANS OF THE SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM
 

The College of Guardians was formed in 1931. It comprises twenty priests and laity (including the Priest Administrator) who are the legal trustees of the Shrine. The Guardians elect one of their number (who must be a priest) to serve as Master. The Guardians meet twice a year in Chapter (chaired by the Master) to oversee the affairs of the Shrine. Each Guardian is assigned a stall and an altar in the Shrine Church. When attending the Shrine Church or the National Pilgrimage each Guardian wears the insignia of a star suspended from black and white ribbon and a blue velvet mantle.

In addition to the full Guardians there are those who are retired from office (Guardians Emeritus) and those who live overseas or were thanked for their support of the Shrine (Honorary Guardians).

In addition, a small group of Guardians act as directors of The Walsingham College Trust Association Ltd., the registered charity which is responsible for all aspects of the Shrine's day to day work.

For further information on past members of the College of Guardians go the Walsingham Archive pages.

MEMBERS OF THE COLLEGE OF GUARDIANS 2008