March sees the start of the ‘Pilgrimage Season’. True to form, the first of the year, for ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Help’ Walsingham group weekend took place on 12th/13th March.

No one knows when this group first started but as the title suggests, it originates from the Cathedral, Sussex Street and was led in those days by Canon Robert Carson. The group has been organised for a number of years by June Askins with full support from her family. Her daughter, Marie, has taken over for next year with help, I am sure, from her sister, Michelle. There is always a priest with us as chaplain, this year we again welcomed Fr Paul Dowling.

At first glance, the programme for the two days looked as though we would be either on our knees or in procession somewhere. In fact, there was plenty of social time – on the coach, at mealtimes, and after the final service on Saturday evening.

The group is made up of happy, caring folk from four year old Cary to a lady in her eighties. There are also young people in their teens and twenties and one young man celebrated his 21st birthday on the Saturday – he has been going since he was a toddler! Twin boys aged 14 have been on the pilgrimage with their mother for the last seven years, and she with her mother for many years before that. All ages get on well together.

Bishop Terry is to start/reinstate an annual pilgrimage from the Diocese, the first being in October 2011, in celebration of the 950th anniversary of the Little House of Nazareth and the start of pilgrimages to Walsingham. I hope to be there – how about you?

Peter Brown