Fr Gerard Byrne leads the Chapter of Our Lady of Walsingham

We're back!  In glorious sunshine, but uncomfortable heat, the 100 or so British Pilgrims completed the gruelling, but spiritually rewarding Pilgrimage to Chartres.  In the three days of retreat on the hoof, we were led by Fathers Byrne and Edwards in Our Lady of Walsingham and Frs. Withoos and Redman in St Alban (Juventutem).  Fr Goodman, from Clifton, and Fr Keenan from Scotland also joined the chapters and helped with Confessions.  The Transalpine Redemptorists were back and we were also accompanied by a number of Seminarians.  Shortage of Clergy?  Not on the road to Chartres!!!  The theme was the Family and this great family of Christians prayed together, sang together and suffered together during three days of demanding physical exertion and spiritual nourishment.

      

We're Off!

Please pray for a successful Pilgrimage!

Final Few Places!

A final few places remain on the coach from London.  Colin's back (our regular driver), now driving for Buzzlines Travel.  Isn't it time you came back?  Chartres t'appelle (Chartres is calling YOU!)  Click here for the Registration Form.  Return completed form to here.  See you on the 25th of May!  

Registrations Open!

Our Lady of Chartres

Registrations for this year’s Pilgrimage to Chartres are now open!  The 30^th Chartres Pilgrimage has, as it’s theme, “The Family, Cradle of Christendom.”  We hope you are able to join us for this unforgettable experience in honour of Our Blessed Mother.  

The 19^th British Pilgrimage leaves London on Friday, 25^th May 2012 at 7:30 AM.  (There should be a Mass of Departure in Westminster Cathedral Crypt at 7:00 AM as usual).  The Registration Form should be completed and returned with a deposit of £30 per person by the Feast of the Annunciation (25 March 2012).  We arrive back in London about 8PM on the following Tuesday, 29 May 2012.  The programme is expected to be the same as last year with Mass before departure; Ferry to France; overnight stay Friday at the Hotel ibis, Aulnay sous Bois; 3 days of Pilgrimage; a hot meal and overnight stay at the Chatelet in Chartres; Mass in Chartres Cathedral Crypt; and return via Eurotunnel to London.  We are pleased to be able to maintain the cost at £250.00 (£125.00 for Children). 

We expect to have at least one Juventutem (Youth) chapter and one adult chapter and further chapters will be added as necessary.  We hope to have the usual support from our priests, Frs. Martin Edwards, Gerard Byrne, Alex Redman, Bruno Witchells, Bede Rowe, and Mark Withoos.              

Further information and updates will be posted to our website. Please ask if there is anything which you do not understand (leave a comment or contact us).

Chartres 2012

It's never too early to start thinking of ... Chartres 2012.  Dates for the diary:  25 to 29 May 2012!

How was Your Pilgrimage?

Fr Anthony Mary, Alpine Redemptortist, Papa Stronsay

Fr Martin Edwards, PP St Mary Magdalene, Southwark

Fr Gerard Byrne, PP St. Brendan's, Corby, Northampton  

The British Pilgrims have returned triumphantly from France, good weather resulting in an overwhelming majority of the Pilgrims being able to complete the whole of the gruelling 70 mile walk!  Pontifical Mass in Chartres Cathedral, celebrated by the auxillary Bishop of Nanterre, Mgr Brouwet (in the presence of the bishop of Chartres, Mgr Pansard) was it's usual magnificent self.  The Cathedral was packed and the British Chapters found themselves the first chapters not to get in the Cathedral.  Tantalisingly close!!  However, we had a great view of the large screens at the front of the Cathedral and the processions of banners and clergy.  We were also given the privilege of meeting the Bishop of Chartres (wearing his purple for the first time) who came over to express his opinion that his Cathedral was the most beautiful in the world; a sentiment to which the British Pilgrims heartily agreed!  A refreshing meal in a local restaurant and a good night's rest in a local hotel completed the day for the London bound pilgrims.  The next day, we had 5 Low Masses in the Crypt of Chartres Cathedral, one for each of our 5 priests who were staying overnight.  At the time of our group Mass (9:15 am) it was heartening to witness a further 3 Masses at the same time in adjoining chapels--one for Fr Withoos, chaplain to St Edward's Chapter, one for the Canadian Pilgrims, and one for the Irish Pilgrims.  The Sacristan was kept very busy and did an admirable job.  A relaxing few hours viewing the Cathedral or having a coffee in the square precipitated the relatively unremarkable return to London where goodbyes were said on the Piazza of Westminster Cathedral at about 8 PM.  Photos to follow.

How was your pilgrimage?  Please use the comments box to let us know! Feedback on improvements or things which went particularly well this year are also appreciated.

Last Orders!

We are now making the final arrangements for our Pilgrimage to France.  We have registered, with the French Organisers, Notre Dame de Chretiente, 106 British (and other) Pilgrims which means we will have 3 good sized Chapters, Our Lady of Walsingham, St Alban and St Edward.  At least 6 priests will be joining us:  Frs. Martin Edwards, Gerard Byrne, Mark Withoos, Alex Redman, Bede Rowe and Bruno Witchalls.  Four of these will be joining us on the Coach from London and two will be joining us in France.  We have finalised the Pilgrimage booklets which will shortly be printed.  We are planning a small chant booklet as Joseph Shaw, Chairman of the Latin Mass Society, has offered to provide some basic chant lessons enroute and it is hoped to be able to form a small choir to sing the final Mass on the Tuesday morning in Chartres Cathedral Crypt.  Meditations on the Theme of this year's Pilgrimage are also being prepared.  Less than 4 weeks to go!