Our Lady of Furness

I recently came across a reference to another northern Marian shrine which had not got into Canon Stevenson’s list. This was an image of Our Lady in the Capella ante portam of Furness Abbey. Prayer before the statue could lead to the remission of penances. Presumably housing the image in the chapel at the gate meant that the monks were not disrupted by pilgrims entering the enclosure. This major, and well documented, Cistercian house is described in a very detailed article from the Victoria County History of Lancashire at The abbey of Furness

That shows well that the abbey was clearly an important spiritual and cultural centre for Furness and adjoining areas, and it still has some impressive remains.

Our Lady of Furness Pray for us