May 2014: Walsingham, Nightfever, New Acolytes

We would like to share some pictures and news from events so far this May: Walsingham, Nightfever, and the institution of new Acolytes.

The annual Dominican Pilgrimage to Walsingham took place in glorious weather last Sunday, 18 May, gathering together friars, sisters, and laity from across the country. At Mass, we were warmly welcomed as always by Fr Alan Williams SM, the shrine administrator, who was recently appointed the next Bishop of Brentwood. The Dominican parish of the Holy Cross in Leicester provided the choir and servers, while Father David Rocks OP (the pilgrimage organiser) was called upon to preach. In his homily, he spoke of the special place that Walsingham has in our hearts, especially through our repeated pilgrimages to this Marian shrine, when we gather as a community to worship Christ and honour his blessed Mother. 

Dominican Sisters of St Joseph, from Lymington 

Preparing for the procession after Mass at the Catholic shrine

Our Lady of Walsingham

Praying the rosary and singing hymns along the way

Entering the small Norfolk village

Afterwards there was time to visit the churches in Walsingham and take some refreshment!
The pilgrimage finished with Vespers and Benediction in the Catholic parish church.

On Friday 16 May, the Priory of the Holy Spirit hosted the third Nightfever event in Oxford. The Oxford Nightfever events have all been run by the University Catholic Chaplaincy and held at Blackfriars. 

Nightfever, which has been mentioned on Godzdogz before, is an evening of gentle evangelisation, where Catholics invite people passing by to enter the church, light a candle, and even write down a prayer. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration, while musical accompaniment contributes to a very prayerful atmosphere.

 This time, over 300 people entered the church over the course of the evening. This included many families with children, who were well behaved and found themselves drawn into the prayerful atmosphere.

Finally, yesterday evening, on the solemnity of Anniversary of the Dedication of the Priory Church (20 May), four Dominican brothers were instituted as Acolytes by the Prior Provincial. Please pray for Br Toby Lees OP, Br Luke Doherty OP, Br Samuel Burke OP, and Br Jordan Scott OP, as they begin this important ministry at the altar.