I have always loved Walsingham. There are quite a number of posts that have appeared on this blog in the years I’ve been writing it about the place — you can find them by clicking here. I was lucky enough to be able to go for the inside of last week, as mentioned in my last post. I wasn’t sure it was advisable with my health as it had been, but am so glad I went.
There were very few people there last week — November is outside of the main pilgrimage season — so it was even more tranquil than it is normally. But peace and quiet; time to think; and especially, time to pray, were just what I needed: and they were all there in abundance.
I know we are with God everywhere, and don’t need to go to a special place to pray. But sometimes it can help. Especially when it’s a place where thousands of other people have prayed before you. Being somewhere special like that with absolutely no time-pressure — no services to prepare for, no meals to think about, etc — can make the communion with God very special indeed. At least, that’s what I found last week.
Even without the pilgrimage activities there are several regular acts of corporate worship each day: Mass is celebrated three times at various places within the shrine complex; and Evening Prayer and Shrine Prayers, both in the shrine church. I joined in with some, though not all, of that regular round of worship. But it was the time alone with God that was particularly special last week.
I spent much of that time alone upstairs in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, in front of the Tabernacle (pictured below) where the Sacrament is constantly reserved. It’s a lovely place to sit, and probably one of the most comfortable places to sit for any length of time in the shrine church. It’s also a place that very few tourists visit — not that there were many around anyway. Another place I spent a great deal of time, was in the Chantry Chapel of the Guild of All Souls (pictured bottom). Again, it was somewhere to find peace and solitude. It was wonderful to just sit and ‘be’ with God; not worrying about what words to use, or that I should be somewhere else.
When I went away, I knew I had a lot to think and pray about, especially around my future ministry. I did spend some time thinking and praying those things; but mostly I just spent time ‘being’ with God, and just let my thoughts and prayers wander wherever they would. I don’t think there’s any coincidence in the two places I felt most drawn to, and spent the most time in. And, I think, I have a clearer understanding of some changes that could be made — more about that later perhaps: there is still much to assimilate, and conversations to be had.
One thing I am sure of, this blog has an important role in my future. The blog holiday was necessary because of the really bad patch I had with my health. The blog may change and evolve a little, but don’t we all as we journey through life. But I’m determined that it will still be here.
I learned a lot about myself last week in Walsingham, and think I fell in love with the place a little more. As much as I love to go in pilgrimage season, and join in all the activities, I suspect an out-of-season-Walsingham will be a destination again in the future — funds permitting.
About Paul Sibley
Andrew Gosden (now 19) has been missing from his Doncaster home since 14 September 2007. The search continues.
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Is Walshingham Catholic or Protestant? Glad you’re back to blogging.
I started enjoying blogging more once I started monitoring my stats daily late in August. Then, if they drop, I immediately do things to strengthen my blog and connect with other bloggers. That way, it doesn’t plunge discouragingly, and the blog keeps getting stronger.
Sorry about the health scare. Get strong soon.
Hi Anita, and a warm welcome to this little corner of cyberspace.
There are both Catholic and Anglican (Protestant) shrines around Walsingham. I go to the Anglican shrine. Although it is very much at the Anglo-Catholic end of Anglicanism. It’s much ‘higher’ than the Church I normally attend, which is decidedly middle-of-the-road.
I did stop monitoring stats daily, though I can easily switch to that if I want to see what’s happened on a particular day, and just look at the weekly stats normally. I think connecting with other bloggers is something I need to do more of — certainly let that slip while I haven’t been so well.
My health isn’t particularly good at the best of times, but I am, at least, getting back to normal now. Thanks.
Paul,
Thanks for pointing me here. I had wondered about not a lot of blogging going on, now I know why. I’m glad that you are recovering, it must be really hard when your health takes a turn for the worse, particularly if it isn’t robust in the first place.
I’ve never been to Walsingham, and if I’m honest, had been a bit put off by my previous experience of the Catholic Church, which Thank God, I’ve now got over. It sounds a wonderful place to visit, particularly off-peak so to speak.
I’m afraid that really overcrowded places tend to overwhelm me a little, particularly as I would want to engage with everyone I met – which can be a real hindrance when I’m seeking quiet time.
But, perhaps later this year, once things are clearer in terms of potential ministry and the crowds have died off a little, I will visit. A couple of days away will be useful in a different place.
I wouldn’t want a directed retreat, just time, space, quiet and perhaps solitude to recharge the batteries.
Welcome minidvr (sorry, I realize despite several conversations on Twitter, I don’t know your name) to this little corner of the web.
Yes, health is really frustrating: but I’m feeling much better now, much more my normal self.
I was unsure about going to Walsingham when I first went some years ago now. And, even now, I’m not entirely comfortable with all of their theology — there is little to differentiate them from our Roman Catholic brethren, despite them actually being Anglican. But if you’re able to put those doubts to one side, it is a place where the prayer is sincere, and the peace is refreshing. It doesn’t hurt that it’s very good value for money too.
You’d get that in spades in Walsingham out of pilgrimage season — plus people around to talk to, with some experience, if you do need it.
I can certainly recommend it as a destination, if some differences in theology aren’t going to be a problem for you. I shall, if I’m able, go again around the same time this year.