August Trip To Walsingham - From John Murphy

These are photos from the week-long Walsingham conference which has been held every year since 1987 in the first week of August. Joanne & I and the kids started going in 1989 and have been 14 times. Since 2003 we've been helping out running the camp field for about 1000 of the pilgrims, the other 2000 or so stay in b&b. That's me next to our modest tent, the wider shot is Joanne walking up from the camp site for a break (we are typically on duty more than 12 hours a day). During those years Mum has been twice, Rita has been, Mary & Therese at least twice including 2009 (see picture), Mary's Laura Jane with her Dan, Therese's 3 children, Eugene's 2 girls. Our Mary has to be congratulated for camping last year for the first time ever at the age of 69! The conference takes place in giant marquees with up to 20 priests at a time concelebrating Mass. There is 24hr adoration of the blessed sacrament, continuous confessions, countless workshops, rosary groups and I'm not kidding a mass will typically go on for 2 hours including a 45min sermon and it's not boring! Walsingham as most of you know is the original Marion shrine dating from 1089 and was 1 of the 3 most important pilgrimage sites in Christendom up to the reformation.
Since 2002 we came every year with the Mizens. Jimmy Mizen loved coming every year and was eagerly looking forward to coming again in 2008 before tragedy struck. Jimmy's Mum Margaret is in the group photo (holding on to Joanne) taken last year when she came up to give a talk. Mary and Therese are in the photo as well as me, our Jack & Jim, and George Mizen kneeling down with his next door neighbour. The place where we are standing is the old Abbey grounds in the village where we celebrate an outdoor mass for about 2000 people. We symbolically walk through the great portal (which is still standing) and pray for reconciliation and the conversion of England (Mary's Dowry). If anyone can shine a light on what that means I would be grateful. My dream is to try and get all my brothers & sisters (and their spouses) to come for the week and as many of their children & grand children as possible. If anyone is interested contact me but I can almost guarantee that there is someone in your own parish who already attends. Seek them out! John's email is: johncmurphy@ntlworld.com

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