Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Saturday, 31 May 2025

Marian Pilgrimage - Our Lady of Walsingham


So, finally, perhaps mentally, if not physically, footsore we arrive at England’s Nazareth to seek the intercession of Our Lady of Walsingham. 

My previous Pilgrimage posts about this very special place have been rather more extensive than many others on this Pilgrimage. This is in part due to the fact that we know much more about Walsingham as a shrine, and partly because I have spent much more time there than there’s any of the other shrines on this itinerary. I always seem to make the point, but it is worth making, that Walsingham is a very special place, and one to which one can very easily form a deep and emotional spiritual attachment. If readers have not visited it I urge them to do so, to visit the two Shrines, and to take time there - breathe the clean Norfolk air, breathe the the prayers of others and maybe catch the breath of the Holy Spirit.

All these previous posts can be found by following the links from my article last year. This can be found at Marian Pilgrimage - Our Lady of Walsingham

May Our Lady of Walsingham pray for Pope Leo XIV

May Our Lady, under all the titles by which we have venerated her this May, accompany us through the coming year and indeed, this life.

Ave Maria

1 comment:

Zephyrinus said...

Ave Maria !!!

An outstanding Marian Pilgrimage journey, John.

Many thanks.

Ave Maria !!!