On Saturday we had our annual Carmelite pilgrimage to England's national shrine at Walsingham in Norfolk. Fr Matt talked to us at the mass before lunch about how a pilgrimage has two parts - going and returning. We are of course apt to concentrate on the going, but it is worth thinking about how we come back. He suggested that we will come back from pilgrimage changed - and that gave me food for thought.
I caught sight of the ladies of the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham in the distance, although I did not actually have the chance to talk to them. They have a very distinctive pale blue habit. I looked them up and they give their charism, which I reproduce below from their website as they are of Carmelite inspiration.
'As a contemplative ecclesial family of men and women we promote a vocational cultureIn the Church and in society. Rooted in the Carmelite tradition. We search for deep inner transformation so as to radiate Gospel values. Centered on the Word and the Eucharist we witness to that joy which can only come from living in the Divine Will. With a preferential option for the young and for the spiritually poor we enable people to make value-based choices. Engaged in the new-evangelisation, in catechetical, pro-life, Ecumenical and interfaith work we promote unity in diversity. Mary, spouse of the Holy Spirit, in her ‘yes’ at the Annunciation and at the foot of the Cross,Is our model of discipleship. Like Mary we open our hearts and offer our lives as a constant song of praise and thanksgiving to the glory of the Trinity.'
Intercessions
S, who has suffered multiple bereavements in a short space of time; she is now very frail and housebound