Ecumenical Procession at Walsingham
An ecumenical procession of witness and celebration in honour of Our Lady's Assumption
Photos and Article by Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney at the Walsingham Ecumenical Procession of Witness 14 August 2024
It is the first time I have attended the events in Walsingham to celebrate The Assumption of Mary. This long-established tradition in North Norfolk is a collaboration between Catholics and Anglicans. I attended two of the events on 14th August 2024.
The first was a lecture given by Rev Dr Peter Doll, Canon Librarian and Vice-Dean of Norwich Anglican Cathedral. He gave a very informative and enjoyable lecture on the practice of pilgrimage. In regard to the shrines and relics often associated with sites of pilgrimage, he said that: “One of the most remarkable developments in the recent history of English cathedrals has been the restoration of shrines with relics, something the English Reformation was determined utterly to destroy, at least in part because saints and shrines were one of the chief bonds that united Christians of different nations.”
He said, and I think it was an apt analogy: “It was an early version of Brexit, a calamity whose intention was to unite a nation by cutting it off from its friends and neighbours.” Whether you agree with Rev Peter or not, from an ecumenical perspective English cathedrals are now rejecting that aspect of the reformation and restoring relics and saints. Rev Peter then gave many examples of this trend, from St Richard’s in Chichester (interestingly, I know the cathedral well as I used to be HR Director for St Richard’s hospital in Chichester!) to St Chad at Lichfield.
Rev Peter concluded that pilgrimage is: “both journey and destination, and those who seek to offer pilgrim ministry need to be alive to the ways that [they] can be integrated with one another.”
As County Ecumenical Officer, the lecture made me think how pilgrimage serves as a powerful pathway toward Christian unity by bringing together believers from diverse denominations. The journey to sacred (and other) sites emphasises shared beliefs and values, allowing pilgrims to focus on what unites them rather than their differences.
When individuals embark on a pilgrimage to significant locations - such as Jerusalem, Rome, Compostela, or Walsingham - they engage in a collective act of faith that transcends doctrinal boundaries. This shared experience highlights core tenets of Christianity, such as love, forgiveness, loyalty, compassion and redemption.
Additionally, pilgrimage can promote inter-denominational dialogue. As pilgrims from different backgrounds share their stories and traditions, they foster understanding and empathy, breaking down stereotypes. The communal aspect of pilgrimage enriches individual faith journeys and showcases the beauty (even necessity) of diversity within Christianity.
Many pilgrimage sites (whether sacred or not, some may simply be destinations for protest or discernment) also become ecumenical spaces where various Christian communities come together in prayer and worship. Joint services and communal reflections allow pilgrims to experience the richness of different traditions, nurturing a sense of belonging in the broader Christian family.
In January next year the senior church leaders from Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney (NWCT) are going on a 4-day pilgrimage to Rome. They have most generously invited me along. This is something I am very much looking forward to as I have never visited Rome or the Vatican before. I hope that the pilgrimage not only enhances our individual spiritual journeys but also fosters unity among us as brothers and sisters in Christ by encouraging shared experiences, dialogue, learning and mutual respect.
The next event I attended was the ecumenical procession of witness and a celebration in honour of Our Lady’s Assumption. We gathered at 8.15pm in St Mary’s church with the Anglican Fr Harri Williams doing the greeting and homily. The Church was packed out and it was a joy to see so many people in attendance - to be honest I was not expecting to see so many.
We then lit candles and processed in the gloaming to the Church of the Annunciation where the Catholic Fr Keith Tulloch SM gave the reading. We then ended at the Anglican Shrine. Throughout we were accompanied by Fr Graeme Rowlands, Registrar in Residence for the Anglican Shrine, and Fr Robert Billing, Rector at the Catholic National Shrine. The weather was superb, the atmosphere respectful, and the fellowship strong throughout.
The focus of the procession is, of course, Mary. I know that for some from certain traditions they have reservations about the veneration of Mary. I want to make clear that as County Ecumenical Officer I respect these. I can say without reservation, however, that those who attended the procession were not there to worship Mary. Rather, we were giving special devotion to Our Lady because what we believe about Mary is based on what we believe about Christ. Our respect and love for Mary illuminates in turn our faith in Christ, who we do worship and adore as our Lord.
Before leaving my wife and I spent some time in the the Anglican shrine. Even though I am a Catholic, I love spending time and attending services in the Anglican shrine. Anyhow, while my wife did her thing, I was reflecting how the Blessed Virgin Mary is in fact an essential figure in fostering Christian unity.
As County Ecumenical Officer, I recognise Mary, the God-bearer (or as the Orthodox would say the Theotokos) as the proto-evangelist. Her acceptance of God’s call at the Annunciation exemplifies faith and obedience, making her the first messenger of the Gospel. By saying “yes” to bear Christ, she invites all believers to reflect on their own responses to God’s call, creating a shared sense of purpose across diverse denominations.
Mary’s presence in key moments of Jesus’ life, from His birth to His crucifixion and resurrection, emphasises her integral role in the narrative of redemption.
Christians from many traditions venerate her not only as the mother of Christ but also as a symbol of hope and intercession. She was the one who instructed others to do as Jesus bids. This common reverence can serve as a unifying factor, encouraging dialogue and mutual respect among believers.
For others, from other traditions more remote to Mary, we can say that the Virgin Mother embodies essential Christian values; for example, humility, faith, love, loyalty, compassion and service - that resonate universally for all Christians.
I argue that Mary's example can inspire us to cultivate these virtues, promoting unity in our pursuit of Christ-like living. In my ecumenical role, I encourage all Christians to be open to and acknowledge Mary’s significance, as she reminds us of our shared heritage and mission, ultimately fostering a spirit of unity among all Christians.
A spirit of unity where Christ is the centre, or pivotal point, around which everything in the Christian faith revolves. Surely this is what the book of revelation means when it says 'King of Kings and Lord of Lords' (Rev. 19:16). He is the centre not only of our faith, but of history and all must bow before him.