The Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham was established around 1061. Walsingham became one of the greatest Shrines in Medieval Christendom.
Walsingham is therefore a great Marian Shrine of the Incarnation, a place of pilgrimage for all who would rejoice with Mary at the great joy of the Annunciation. Pilgrims come to Walsingham, like Mary, to conceive Our Lord in their hearts, that they may bring Him forth into the world, rejoicing with His Mother.
Pilgrimages Today
The Shrine now attracts some 150,000+ pilgrims during the pilgrimage season with about 35 Major Pilgrimages from Catholic, Diocesan or Ethnic groups and Catholic Societies or Associations as well as many Parish and Overseas groups. At present, our largest Pilgrimages are those of the Tamil community who come each May (c.6,000) and again in July with about 15,000 pilgrims, some being Christian and some Hindu in faith. The Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain bring about 5,000 pilgrims on their National Pilgrimage in July.
The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham
On the Feast of the Holy Family, on 27th December 2015, during a Pontifical Mass in the Chapel of Our Lady of Reconciliation at the Shrine, Bishop Alan Hopes read out a decree from the Vatican, stating that Pope Francis was pleased to confer the title of Minor Basilica upon the Shrine precinct. There are only three sites with that title in England, the other two being St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham and Downside Abbey Church.
