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Our Lady's Mirror
Winter 1946
View across the nave to the
chapel of S George, with that
of SS Hugh and Patrick beyond
It is always very difficult to combine a place of pilgrimage with a place for conducted
retreats, unless special accommodation can be provided. We hope, however, the day may not be too
far off before such accommodation may be possible at the Shrine, as we are constantly being asked to
have both private and public retreats.
Slowly the kitchen and dining hall for the College are taking shape, and, as we write, the sound of the
hammer and trowel can be heard. But at present we still have to have our meals in the Pilgrims’
Refectory. Can you imagine two – sometimes three – of us in solemn state in that big room?
We have been very troubled to find the ancient feretory containing the relics of S. Vincent has been
attacked by the worm. Every time the outer case is opened the floor is found covered with the dust of
the decaying reliquary. This is very serious, as it is a most important possession of the Shrine. The
Administrator has had to place an immediate order for a metal reliquary to be made, as it is impossible
to secure the sort of case required ready-made these days. It is one of those crises which need prompt
action, but where the cash is coming from to pay for it we do not know. We expect all those who read
these lines have venerated and sought the prayers of S. Vincent when visiting the Shrine at
Walsingham, and we venture to ask you to send a donation towards this necessary work.
Pilgrimages are already being booked for next year, and we hope that priests hoping to bring Parish
Pilgrimages will fix up their dates as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
William – we all know William, the Shrine Beadle and gardener – has returned home from the Forces,
and is horrified to see the depleted condition of Our Lady’s gardens. He wants plants and shrubs and all
sorts of things to bring the grounds back to their well-known beauty, so much has perished during the
years of war. It would be nice if those who are interested in the gardens could help in their restoration.
During November and December we have had Bishop Nicholai Velimirovitch staying in the College with
us. He has come to rest before leaving England for America, having vowed seven Liturgies in the Shrine
of our Lady of Walsingham. These Masses he has celebrated with local assistance, but on the two
central days, Father Nicholovitch, King Peter of Serbia’s chaplain, came to help. We have had the great
pleasure of entertaining several ecclesiastics of the Holy Orthodox Church since the last number of the
Mirror was published.
We want to make improvements to the pilgrims’ accommodation, as we are still very primitive at
Walsingham; indeed, there is no main sanitation or water in the whole village, and this complicates all
schemes very much. We also plan to enlarge the Hospice: build a series of new bedrooms and
bathrooms, together with rest rooms and a more commodious refectory.
Donations can be earmarked for the purpose, and the Guardians would be prepared to borrow the
money from anyone willing to lend it as the usual rate of interest. So now those of you who are keen on
improving our accommodation please see what you can do about it!
articles: A Pilgrim, 'A Day in the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham'; Fr Colin Stephenson, 'A Story
which may have happened'; A Correspondent, 'A True Record'; an article by the printers of OLM about
the difficulties in printing during the War
photographs: view across the nave to the chapel of S George [above]; three architects' drawings of
the proposed Thanksgiving Chapel