The timetable has been unveiled for events during the Dowry Tour of Our Lady of Walsingham to St Mary’s Cathedral in Middlesbrough.
The statue, which usually resides in the shrine’s famous Slipper Chapel, is being taken around the country for two years as part of the spiritual preparation for England’s rededication as the Dowry of Mary in 2020.
Although the exact origin of this title is unknown, in medieval times it was widely used to indicate that England belonged in a special way to Mary as the country’s protector.
Speaking of the rededication, which will take place around the Solemnity of the Annunciation in March 2020, Cardinal Vincent Nichols said: “This is a moment of great promise for the Church in this country and for our mission.”
The cathedral will be open to welcome people to venerate, pray, and place flowers before the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham. There will be talks on the Dowry of Mary by the rector of the shrine at Walsingham, Monsignor John Armitage. Pilgrims will also be able to view an exhibition about the title of England as Mary’s Dowry and the history of the shrine.
The statue was given a place of honour during Pope Saint John Paul II’s visit to England in 1982 and again during this year’s Adoremus Eucharistic Congress in Liverpool.
The village of Walsingham, in Norfolk, has been a major centre of pilgrimage for almost 1,000 years and now has both Catholic and Anglican shrines, as well as an Orthodox chapel.
Thursday December 13
5pm: Shrine and exhibition open. Rosary for a spiritual renewal to facilitate the New Evangelisation
6pm: Angelus
6.30pm: Opening Mass with welcome from Monsignor John Armitage, rector of the Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham – Main celebrant, Monsignor Gerard Robinson
7.30pm: Confessions available
8.15pm: Talk on the Dowry of Mary by Monsignor Armitage
9.30pm: Close
Friday December 14, Feast of St John of the Cross
8am: Morning Mass, celebrant Monsignor John Armitage
8.45am: Shrine and Dowry Exhibition open for pilgrims – Confessions available throughout the day.
11am: Rosary for the conversion of our families, friends and enemies
11.30am–12.30pm: Holy Hour, including sacrament of reconciliation
Noon: Angelus and midday Mass celebrated by Father Richard Marsden
2pm: Dementia friendly carol concert
4pm: Rosary for the conversion of England
6.30pm: Rosary for vocations to priesthood and religious life
7pm: Adoration with sung Evening Prayer
8.30pm: Talk on Dowry of Mary by Monsignor Armitage
9.30pm: Close
Saturday December 15
8am: Mass of Our Lady celebrated by Monsignor Armitage
8.30am: Shrine and exhibition open
9.45am–10.30am: Confessions
10am: Rosary for the renewal of marriage and family life
11am: Adoration
Noon: Solemn Mass with Bishop Terry
Shrine and exhibition close