Working for the cause of Charlotte Boyd

From Mgr George Tiitto
Sir, Some time ago, Luke Coppen wrote an excellent article in The Catholic Herald about Charlotte Boyd who "restored the Slipper Chapel, Walsingham, to Catholic ownership". It was written in connection with a group's visit in April 2002 to Charlotte Boyd's grave in St Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green, London, on the anniversary of her death.
Some readers of the article may have wondered, how it is that the National Chaplain to the RC Hungarians in Great Britain is promoting the cause of Charlotte Boyd. Some may have felt even resentment about this, especially in the ranks of some members of the English clergy. I feel that all this needs some explanation.
My first and memorable experience of Walsingham was on 15th August, 1954, during the Marian Year commemorating the Centenary of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception. On that day, in solemn celebration, with a great crowd of pilgrims present, the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop O'Hara, has crowned the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham which was carried from the ruins of the original Shrine to the Slipper Chapel. On this journey two white doves settled on the statue, symbols of peace and reconciliation.
I am familiar with the history of Walsingham and with the important role Charlotte Boyd played in restoring at least a small part of the original great Shrine of Walsingham to Catholic ownership in 1996, the Slipper Chapel which however, became the National RC Shrine of Our Lady much later, in 1934. In the Middle Ages, Walsingham ranked as an important International Shrine, the Lourdes of the Middle Ages, along with Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago di Compostella in Spain. The Shrine, England's Nazareth, united the country, composed of different national groups for nearly 500 years, into one great Christian land, until the tragic events of 1538 when Henry VIII destroyed the Walsingham Shrine along with other shrines and famous monasteries.
From the early 50s I was serving in the Diocese of Nottingham first as a curate and then parish priest for over 20 years, as a British citizen, of course. When I became the National Chaplain to the RC Hungarians in Great Britain in 1986, I soon realised that my task among my widely scattered compatriots would be a very difficult one. Being scattered and distant from each other, in a secular society which becomes more and more indifferent to religion, or even hostile to it, a world which slowly moves away from God, my pastoral work is like in a missionary situation, with too many obstacles in the way.
I became more and more convinced about the great need for the renewal of faith in this country to create an environment in which the various national groups may feel at home, inspired by common spiritual values. I firmly believe that such a transformation of our country is possible if we dare to promote the correct cause. I sincerely believe that it is the cause of Charlotte Boyd who prayed and worked so much to restore the Shrine of Walsingham to its ancient greatness, drawing the people of this country once again together, inspired by England's Nazareth. Also Pope Leo XIII expressed this hope in 1897:
"When England goes back to Walsingham, Our Lady will come back to England".
To promote the cause of Charlotte Boyd, including the transfer of her earthly remains to Walsingham and her eventual beatification, needs the prayer and support of many people which will be important for the authoritative action by the Catholic Hierarchy.
If any of the readers would be willing to join, please, inform Mrs Brenda Walsh, 19 Holly Park Road, Hanwell, London W7 ILA.
You may also realise that such promotion of Charlotte Boyd's cause needs financial support as well, for which a special Fund has been opened with the name: "Charlotte Boyd Trust". Donations to this trust will be gratefully accepted by Mrs Walsh.
In the meantime, according to the wishes of Charlotte Boyd, devotions of repentance and reparation should be encouraged to be celebrated at Walsingham to pave the way towards joyful reunion and renewal. Thank God, Antonia Moffat is a great inspiration in promoting such devotions at Walsingham.
Yours faithfully GEORGE TUTTO National Chaplain to RC Hungarians in Great Britain