20-24 Oct ~ Jubilee Pilgrimage to Walsingham
“As we journey towards the Jubilee Year 2025, I encourage you, as individuals, families, parishes, groups of parishes, dioceses, and Catholic organisations to make a special pilgrimage to Walsingham in the footsteps of kings, saints, and holy people of times gone by to deepen your faith and reliance on our Lord Jesus Christ.” Fr Robert Billing, Rector of the Catholic National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady, Walsingham
The Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham, the National Shrine to Our Blessed Lady will take place on 20th - 24th October 2025.
The all inclusive cost is £475.00-£500.00 (dependent on accommodation type) Coach collection drop off will take place in Workington, Carlisle, Penrith, Lancaster and Preston. Bishop of Lancaster, Rt Rev Paul Swarbrick is leading the pilgrimage and it has a special meaning for the Diocese:
“ Dear brothers and sisters,
In this Jubilee Year our annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham, the National Shrine to Our Blessed Lady, will take place 20-24 October 2025. I invite you to join me!
A Jubilee Year is a moment of grace in the life of the Church. The practice finds its roots in the Old Testament covenant made between God and his people, Israel. It was a time of redemption, a moment when land and property were returned to their original owners and slaves were set free (Leviticus 25). In Luke’s Gospel it is no small thing that Jesus’ first public proclamation, which took place in the Synagogue in Nazareth, recalls the prophetic words of Isaiah with the promise of a “year of favour from the Lord” (Is 61:1-2). This year of favour, this Jubilee Year, will find the Church proclaiming the Gospel afresh, proclaiming liberty from the darkness of sin and healing, both physical and spiritual, for those who are oppressed (Lk 4:18- 19).
Our pilgrimage to Walsingham is therefore an excellent way to mark this time of grace, both as a diocese and individually. Some of you are familiar with Walsingham. For others, it will be your first visit. In the Middle Ages, the Shrine was one of the great ancient Marian places of pilgrimage in the whole of Christendom. It is known as England’s very own Nazareth and is a place where the incarnation of Jesus is particularly remembered. Therefore, for the modern pilgrim, it is a place for all who would rejoice with Mary at ‘the great joy of the Annunciation.’ Like Lourdes in France, it is a place of reconciliation, conversion, peace and healing.
Fr Billing is the Rector and is a wonderful host for us, coming as we do from his home Diocese. He is keen to open the treasure of Walsingham to pilgrims who have never been before as well as those of us who are regular pilgrims. It is also an opportunity to support him in his national role.”
For more information and booking details contact the pilgrimage organiser Deacon Charlie Conner on 07895 742 732 or email charlie.conner@lrdc.org.uk
The places will be limited, so please book in good time.