Children & Youth Pilgrimages to Walsingham
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The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in North Norfolk has been an site of prayer and pilgrimage since 1061 when the Lady Richeldis had a vision of the Mary, the Mother of God, there.
Richeldis founded the Holy House upon the site of a spring. The water was said to have healing properties and pilgrims who seek healing still travel from all over to drink from the well. |
People travel to Walsingham at all times of the year, but there are certain special occasions of pilgrimage. Some of these pilgrimages are aimed specifically at children and young people so that they may gather together with many others of the same age to explore their Christian Faith.
Each year in our Benefice we arrange take groups to the children's (7-11yo) and youth (11-18yo) pilgrimages. The groups are accompanied by responsible adults who have been through safeguarding checks.
Each year in our Benefice we arrange take groups to the children's (7-11yo) and youth (11-18yo) pilgrimages. The groups are accompanied by responsible adults who have been through safeguarding checks.
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Children's Pilgrimage (for 7 - 11 year olds)
The Children's Pilgrimage usually takes place over a weekend around March from Friday, after school, until Sunday afternoon. There are usually between 100-200 children who take part. The weekend includes: Sunday Mass; disco; 'Midnight' feast; Holy Mile walk; 'Sprinkling' from the Holy Well; prayers in the Holy House; crafts & fun on inflatables; and free time with friends to explore the shrine and shops. The dates and theme for the 2016 Children's Pilgrimage are 26-28th February and the theme is Mercy and Mission. The cost is £70/child. Bursaries are sometimes available. If you know any children interesting in coming please contact our Ministry team. Photographs of previous pilgrimages can be found here. |
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Some campers from WYP2014
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Youth Pilgrimage (for 11 - 18 year olds)
The Youth Pilgrimage usually takes place during the first week of the school summer holidays from Monday to Friday. There are usually 500+ young people who take part, camping on the outskirts of the village of Walsingham. The week includes: Daily Mass in the Big Top with the amazing band CJM; BBQ, Discos & Karaoke; Bible Studies; Late Night Liturgy; The Holy Mile walk; Workshops including Crafts, Dance, Sport, Music, Climbing Wall & inflatables; Chilling out in the on camp café; a trip to the beach at Wells; and free time with friends. The theme for WYP2016 is Mercy Works and the pilgrimage takes place from the 1st - 5th August.. Further details can be found here. Bursaries are sometimes available. If you are interesting in coming, or know someone else who is, please contact our Ministry team. |
How can I help?
It takes an awful lot of work behind the scenes to make the children and youth pilgrimages possible. If you think you could help, either by acting as adult volunteer during one of the pilgrimages, or to help raise money to assist with equipment or bursaries for those families who (for a variety of reasons) find it difficult to afford these trips, please contact our Ministry team.
It takes an awful lot of work behind the scenes to make the children and youth pilgrimages possible. If you think you could help, either by acting as adult volunteer during one of the pilgrimages, or to help raise money to assist with equipment or bursaries for those families who (for a variety of reasons) find it difficult to afford these trips, please contact our Ministry team.