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Fr Luke Goymour reflects on the inaugural Ipswich Deanery Walking Pilgrimage, a joyful and unifying celebration of the Feast of the Visitation (31 May) in honour of Our Lady of Ipswich.
It was a glorious day and a landmark moment for the Ipswich Deanery. The inaugural Ipswich Deanery Walking Pilgrimage for the Feast of the Visitation was not only a significant spiritual event but also a powerful demonstration of collaboration, devotion, and the shared faith that unites our community.
The idea was first conceived over a year ago, when three parish priests—Fr Joseph Welch, Fr Jude Belnas, and myself — gathered informally and began exploring how our central Ipswich parishes might come together in celebration and prayer. What began as a casual conversation quickly turned into a spirit-led initiative to deepen devotion to Our Lady of Ipswich.
A source of inspiration was the recent commissioning of a replica of the Nettuno statue of Our Lady for St Pancras Church — a tangible sign of renewed interest in the ancient devotion to Our Lady of Ipswich. This statue became a focal point for what would become a cherished celebration.
As we considered the geographical layout of our parishes — St Mary Magdalen, St Mary’s (Woodbridge Road), St Mark’s, and St James — it became clear that St Pancras, situated in the heart of the town, was the natural destination for a pilgrimage. The fact that the Feast of the Visitation would fall on a Saturday in 2025 offered a perfect opportunity to organise a walking pilgrimage converging on St Pancras for Mass and devotions. What began as a parish initiative soon blossomed into a deanery-wide event, reflecting the unity and shared purpose of our Catholic community.
On the day of the Feast, pilgrims set off from various locations in Ipswich, united in prayer and devotion. Groups departed from St Mary Magdalen, St Mark’s, St Mary’s Woodbridge Road, and Lady Lane — the historic site of the medieval shrine of Our Lady in Ipswich. Carrying rosaries, the faithful prayed earnestly for their parishes, the deanery, and the wider town, embodying the spirit of the Visitation as they journeyed. This was not merely a physical walk but a spiritual pilgrimage, an act of unity and reverence echoing through the streets of Ipswich.
Along the way, many pilgrims paused at the Ecumenical Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at St Mary Elms, where they were warmly welcomed by Anglican priest Fr John Thackray and members of the Guild of Our Lady of Ipswich. This ecumenical moment added depth to the experience, strengthening bonds of shared Christian faith and mutual devotion.
The procession from Lady Lane was especially poignant, led by Fr Joseph and accompanied by members of the Guild of Our Lady of Ipswich. Their steps echoed with centuries of prayer and the hopes of the many pilgrims gathered across the deanery. This convergence was a powerful witness to our unity and commitment to honouring Our Lady of Ipswich.
More than a hundred people, representing a wide range of parishes and communities, arrived at St Pancras for the culmination of the pilgrimage. The Mass was celebrated by myself with Fr Joseph Welch preaching a heartfelt homily. His reflection on the Visitation drew parallels between Mary’s journey to Elizabeth, the faithful’s pilgrimage to Our Lady at St Pancras, and Mary’s ongoing visitation to humanity. He reminded us that Our Lady, through the statue of Our Lady of Grace, continually offers her Divine Son to all who seek her intercession.
Following Mass, the congregation gathered before the statue of Our Lady for the Litany of Loreto, praying for Ipswich and the wider community. This devotion was a fitting conclusion to the pilgrimage, encapsulating the unity, faith, and hope that defined the day. Afterwards, parishioners from St Pancras offered generous hospitality, providing a splendid buffet in the parish hall where pilgrims could share fellowship and celebrate the occasion together.
The Ipswich Deanery Walking Pilgrimage for the Feast of the Visitation was more than just a successful event — it marked the beginning of what promises to be a beloved tradition. It illustrated the strength of collaboration between parishes, the depth of our shared devotion, and the beauty of coming together to honour the sacred.
From its humble beginnings in a conversation among priests to its realisation as a vibrant, deanery-wide celebration, the pilgrimage showed what can be achieved when we walk together in faith. The renewed devotion to Our Lady of Ipswich, fostered through this pilgrimage, serves as a lasting reminder of the deep faith that binds us as a community.
Photographs courtesy of Jason Moore.
