Grand Priory of England & Wales - national pilgrimage & Investiture

Submitted by Val Hiscock on

From Thursday 30 May to Sunday 2 June 2024, eighty pilgrims from the Grand Priory of England & Wales joined their Grand Prior on his pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.  This honoured the tenth anniversary of the international pilgrimage made to Walsingham by the late 49th Grand Master, Don Carlos Gereda y de Borbón.

 A busy weekend of activities included meetings of the national Executive and of Commanders and Hospitallers, as well as a full schedule of services.  Amongst the highlights were the Holy Mile walk from Little Walsingham to the Slipper Chapel at Houghton St Giles, undertaken by a number of the pilgrims on Friday morning, and a visit to the site of the ancient leprosarium, where the Bailiff laid a commemorative wreath of laurel leaves, red carnations and rosemary (the herb of remembrance) on behalf of the Grand Priory.

The Grand Priory’s national investiture service was presided over by the Chaplain-General in the Shrine Church on the afternoon of Saturday 1 June.  The investing officer was the Grand Prior, Lord Lothian, assisted by the Bailiff.  The preacher was the Lord Abbot of Farnborough, Dom Cuthbert Brogan OSB.  The rousing singing from the congregation was ably led by John Bullock KLJ on the Shrine organ. 

After a celebration banquet, held in the Shrine refectory, the pilgrims took part in a torchlight procession of the image of Our Lady of Walsingham around the Shrine grounds – a wonderful climax and a powerful witness for all those present.

A more detailed report may be downloaded here, and a photo library of the weekend is also available at Order of St Lazarus Grand Priory of England & Wales Walsingham Pilgrimage & Investiture 30th May - 2nd June 2024