Pilgrimage, Fellowship and Christian Friendship in Walsingham

Reflections from the National Pilgrimage 2026 by Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney

There are some dates in the Christian calendar that I always look forward to, and the Anglican National Pilgrimage to Little Walsingham is certainly one of them.  This year’s pilgrimage, held on Monday 25 May, gathered hundreds of pilgrims in England’s Nazareth for a day of worship, prayer, fellowship and celebration centred on the theme “Mary Cause of Our Joy”.  

For me, however, this year’s pilgrimage carried an additional significance.  The chosen theme was not just a devotional title of Our Lady.  It was also shared with the Catholic National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady at Walsingham as a visible expression of the growing friendship and fraternity between the Anglican and Catholic shrines.  

In a world where division often seems to capture most attention, it was encouraging to see Mary presented not as a point of separation but as a source of shared joy and a reminder of our common Christian heritage.

As County Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney, I spend much of my time encouraging relationships between churches of different traditions.  Days such as this remind me why that work matters.  Christian unity is often advanced through friendship, shared pilgrimage, common prayer and mutual presence. Walsingham continues to offer an important witness to this reality.

The pilgrimage programme began with the Concelebrated Mass in the Abbey Grounds, beneath brilliant blue skies, and against the magnificent backdrop of the ancient Abbey ruins.  The Principal Celebrant was the Rt Rev Luke Irvine-Capel, Bishop of Richborough. Bishop Luke is widely respected for his pastoral ministry and his commitment to the Catholic tradition within Anglicanism.  Presiding amidst hundreds of pilgrims gathered from across the country, he reminded us through both word and presence that pilgrimage ultimately centres upon Christ, who continues to sustain and guide His Church.  

Later in the afternoon pilgrims gathered again for the sermon, the procession of Our Lady of Walsingham, followed by Benediction.  The preacher was the Most Rev John Wilson, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Southwark.  Archbishop Wilson has become well known for his warm and engaging preaching style and for encouraging Christians to live their faith as brothers and sisters in Christ with confidence, hope and joy.  His sermon reflected the theme of the day, inviting pilgrims to deepen their trust in Christ through the example of Mary.  Throughout his ministry, Archbishop Wilson has consistently emphasised discipleship, evangelisation and holiness in everyday life, and these themes resonated strongly as pilgrims prepared to accompany the image of Our Lady through the Abbey grounds and village.
 
I found it particularly striking that an Anglican bishop presided at the principal Eucharistic celebration while a Roman Catholic archbishop delivered the afternoon sermon.  Although each exercised his ministry within the context of his own tradition, together they embodied something of the friendship and mutual respect that increasingly characterises relationships between Christians in Walsingham.  In their different ways, both pointed pilgrims towards unity in Christ and reminded us that authentic devotion to Mary always leads us closer to her Son.

The ecumenical dimension of the day was further strengthened by the presence of Bishop Peter Collins, Catholic Bishop of East Anglia; the Rt Rev Graham Usher, Anglican Bishop of Norwich, along with his Canon Rev Sally Theakston; and representatives of the Orthodox Church. Their attendance served as a reminder that Walsingham occupies a unique place within the Christian landscape of England.

For many years Walsingham has quietly offered something that Christians often struggle to achieve elsewhere: a space where believers from different traditions can meet, pray, converse and recognise one another as fellow disciples of Jesus Christ.  The presence of church leaders from Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox and (usually when present) Methodist traditions demonstrated that friendship, mutual respect and common witness continue to grow in this quiet and holy part of North Norfolk.

The weather itself seemed determined to contribute to the celebratory atmosphere.  Not a single cloud interrupted the brilliant Norfolk sunshine throughout the day. Temperatures reached around 32 degrees, making it one of the hottest National Pilgrimages I can remember.  The heat certainly demanded plenty of fluids and more than a little perseverance, but it did nothing to diminish the enthusiasm of the pilgrims. Everywhere there were smiles, conversations and reunions among friends old and new.

My wife and I joined many others enjoying a picnic during the afternoon.  There was something wonderfully simple and joyful about sharing food and conversation in such beautiful surroundings.  Pilgrimage is not only about travelling to a holy place.  It is also about encountering Christ through one another and experiencing the fellowship that emerges when Christians gather with a common purpose.  

As I reflected upon the theme Mary, Cause of Our Joy, I found myself thinking that Christian joy is never merely private.  In the Gospel, Mary’s joy is always relational.  Her visit to Elizabeth brings rejoicing.  Her Magnificat celebrates God’s action on behalf of all people.  At Cana she directs attention towards Christ.  At Pentecost she is present among the gathered disciples as the Holy Spirit descends upon the Church.

In this sense, Mary continues to point Christians towards unity.  She never draws attention to herself for its own sake but directs us towards her Son.  Wherever Christians focus more deeply upon Christ, opportunities for greater understanding, friendship and cooperation inevitably emerge.  The shared adoption of this year’s theme by both the Anglican and Catholic shrines was therefore more than symbolic.  It represented a genuine sign of fraternity and a recognition of the spiritual bonds that already unite Christians despite continuing differences.

As pilgrims made their way home at the end of a long and exceptionally warm day, I found myself grateful once again for the gift of Walsingham.  The National Pilgrimage reminds me that despite our differences, Christians have far more that unites us than divides us.  That is indeed a cause for joy.

Further Information
The National Pilgrimage is organised annually by the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.  This year’s pilgrimage was held on 24–25 May 2026 under the theme “Mary Cause of Our Joy”.

Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham:  www.walsinghamanglican.org.uk

Catholic National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady at Walsingham:  www.walsingham.org.uk

Article and Photos by Dr Ian Watson