The first Mass celebrated on the site of Evesham Abbey for more than 400 years was sung by Bishop Bright of Birmingham on Sunday in the presence of about 20,000 people from all over the archdiocese and from other parts of England and Wales, and including a detachment of U.S. Army troops. The Holy Father sent his Apostolic Blessing by telegram. The Evesham pilgrimages, now established as a diocesan activity, began five years ago when a handful of friends, inspired by a Birmingham journalist, went to the spot where Our Lady appeared to Eoves in the year 702, and on which the abbey was subsequently built. Now, Our Lady will have a shrine at Evesham once more.
Mass on platform
A group of 140 pilgrims from England, organised by the Sons of Divine Providence, who attended the canonisation of St. Pius X, had special permission from the Holy See to have Mass said on the station platform at Modane on the FrenchItalian frontier. Fr. Bidone said Mass for the conversion of England in honour of St. Augustine of Canterbury, as it was his feast day.