Parishioners from St Thomas of Canterbury in Brandon and St John the Evangelist in Mildenhall have welcomed young Student Cross pilgrims on their way to Walsingham for Easter, reports Jo Leveridge.
On Wednesday April 17, a small group of volunteers, armed with plates of food, gathered at the Hockwold home of Graham and Janice Whitaker to welcome young pilgrims bound for Walsingham.
It has become a tradition over the last 10 years or so, to provide afternoon tea and the opportunity of a brief rest to these interdenominational groups, as they wend their way from Epping to Walsingham. It is always a joyful time – filled with goodwill and fellowship. On this occasion, the group included a pregnant mum to be and a one-year-old baby girl, who quickly stole our hearts.
After cheerfully consuming the refreshments provided, the pilgrims were able to tend to sore feet and blisters if needed. The next leg of their journey would take them to Methwold for supper and a place to spend the night.
However, before leaving Hockwold in the late afternoon sun, they sang a thank-you song to us all, promising to return next year. And as the cross was hoisted aloft by willing hands, they said that they would pray for us in Walsingham on Good Friday.
It is always inspiring to take part in this small portion of such a meaningful Lenten journey. We look forward to next year.
Pictured above are the student pilgrims leaving Hockwold.
The Spring 2019 edition of the East Anglian Catholic History Society newsletter, Orientale Lumen, has just been published. It contains news of the happy reunion of two long-separated manuscripts, as well as plans for the millennium celebration in 2020 of the foundation of St Edmunds Abbey in Bury St Edmunds by King Canute.
Tony Baker, President of Norwich Circle of the Catenian Association has presented £100 bursary cheques to Notre Dame High School students awarded financial assistance to travel on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Pictured from the left are Klara Kouropoupis, Frederick Greef, Tony Baker and Amelie Letondeur-Burrage. A fourth student, Louise Miller, was also awarded a bursary.