The CATHOLIC HERALD Lay Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Walsingham

for Peace, the Fruit of Justice, made history for Walsingham, for many thousands of CATHOLIC HERALD readers and, may it please God, far the world.
The first requisite was a fine day. That prayer was granted in full measure. You may travel the world and not find anything more perfect in nature than the English countryside on a fresh, sunny day in May. As one walked along the narrow pilgrims' way, one thought of the millions whose eyes, hundreds of years ago, beheld the very same
shades of green, the same fields sprayed with gold, the same trees with their white blossom, and thought, as we did, that nothing could be more beautiful than this unspoilt setting for the centre of England's special devotion to Our Lady.
EVERY MEANS OF TRANSPORT How they reached Walsingham in those days, I cannot say.
Our way, however, was made smooth, Cars, coaches, charabancs cluttering up in the old village or resting in any available turning told of the happy journeys of thousands with their picnic baskets, their jolly conversations, their The CATHOLIC HERALD apologises to those who travelled in the London special train to Walsingham for the distribution of pacifist leaflets. No permission for the distribution of such literature was asked for or given, and the CATHOLIC HERALD strongly resents the action of the traveller, who, whether with or without the permission of the Pax Society, availed herself of this opportunity in a private train to spread the views of the Society.
halts here and there to admire some new wonder of the country.
Seven hundred pilgrims had their way made smooth, but somewhat slow, by the L.N.E.R.
That railway is, however, unaccustomed to Walsingham, and the mighty modern engine proved incapable of carrying such numbers. A hill—and it was stuck, puffing and blowing to get up steam.
The oldest pilgrim, Miss Cross (of Hampstead), who, though aged 81, thinks nothing of a twelve-hour day and three-mile walk, mw it have felt deeply scornful of the performance of the railway's monster.
Those who travelled by train were blessed on King's Cross platform by Mgr. Mathew, Bishop of Aeliae, after the pilgrims had sung with real artistry the hymn " Look down, 0 Mother Mary." His Lordship recited the prayers for a safe journey and read the Papal telegram imparting the Apostolic Blessing.
PACKED VILLAGE
When I reached Walsingham at about 3 p.m. the village was so full of people that I took it for granted that the London contingent had arrived punctually.
But the crowds had come from the rest of the country-London, for the above-mentioned reasons, was an hour late.
At last the long train with its thirteen
coaches drew in, and, without any delay, the travellers formed into procession.
The procession, more than a quarter of a mile long, with the Blessed Sacrament at its centre, took over an hour to cover the mile and an eighth which separates Walsingham from the Slipper Chapel.
Though some Children of Mary in blue with their banner, and the gold of the canopy added a touch of colour, the long procession was marked by a strange simplicity, a lay ruggedness which had a unique charm.
The torch-bearers round the Blessed Sacrament were men, vested in rain-coats; the canopy-bearers were in flannels. Only the beautiful monstrance of gold and silver reminded one of the ecclesiastical glories of Corpus Christi.
SERMON AND BENEDICTION Outside the Slipper Chapel in the field by the incompleted open-air altar the procession was met by many pilgrims who had gone straight to the Chapel.
Without delay Fr. Bruno Scott-Janies began his inspiring sermon (reported elsewhere) which carried well across the large crowd.
Benediction followed with the four thousand voices reciting the prayer for peace.
After the Benediction the Papal Blessing was imparted to the crowds, who moved towards the Slipper Chapel loudly singing the Credo.
One by one they went through the beautifully restored building, depositing the signatures of pilgrims in spirit, unable to make the journey, at Our Lady's feet.
BACK TO THE VILLAGE Happy in ppirit, though sometimes hot in body, hey found their own way back to Walsingham, when a short interval was available for sight-seeing or refreshment with the help and encouragement given throughout the glorious day by the Franciscan Fathers and their Superior, the Very Rev. Fr. Herbert. How many rosaries, medals and pictures the Fathers blessed would be difficult to count.
At length the little platform was packed tight with pilgrims, waiting for the London " special," and the cars and coaches began to thin out.
BEDTIME WAS MIDNIGHT Few pilgrims can have been in bed before midnight, but fewer still would have asked for an hour's longer sleep, if it had meant missing anything of Our Lady's Day for Peace at Walsingham.
As for the many children—well, going to bed at midnight once in a way is a precious part of the excitement.
Grateful thanks are due to the members of the Catholic Police Guild, who, under the supervision of Sergeant Butler, volunteered their services and did all they could to ensure the comfort of pilgrims on what was a long and difficult journey. Also to Mr Boughton, who led the singing, and to the altar servers from the church of St. Anselm and St. Cecilia, Kingsway, who generously and cheerfully gave up their scats on the train to accommodate the last-minute applicants, for whom there was no seating accommodation available.
The death occurred on Tuesday of Lady Norah Bentinck at the age of 58.