Retreats and Quiet Days

"The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest awhile; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves." Mark 6:30-32

Retreats have their biblical basis in the model of Jesus going off in solitude to pray.  Two major examples are in the Desert before He begins His public ministry and in the Garden of Gethsemane before His Passion and death. The desert and mountainous regions provided remote areas as places of retreat for the early Christians.  Later, monasteries were established.  By the 16th century, retreat houses became established—a model that still operates today.

In keeping with Church tradition, parish retreats offer parishioners the opportunity for an experience like the apostles who went off to a lonely place with Jesus.  Jesus is eager to offer His peace, joy, and healing to those who heed His call to ‘come away’ and be with Him. Parish Quiet Day Retreats are offered primarily in Lent and Advent as a means of renewal. There is a longer retreat and pilgrimage in November.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, affords a place of renewal and refreshment.  The convent's extensive grounds for walking and meditation provide a peaceful setting for those who gather.  During times of quiet prayer the retreatants may use the Shrine Church, Barn Chapel or the Chantry Chapel.  The meals are ample and very good.

Typical Pilgrimage / Retreat

to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham

Monday

09:00      Blessing of Pilgrims                                                    09:20      Leave
12:30      Lunch at the Limes, Fakenham,                                  14:00      Arrive Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham              
14:30      First Visit and Mass (Holy House)
15:15      Acquaintance Tour of Shrine and Environs
16:00      Book in and allocation of Rooms
17:00      Coffee
17:30      Evening Prayer (Nave)
18:00      Shrine Prayers [Rosary] (Nave)
18:30      Supper (Pilgrim’s Refectory)
19:30      Free Evening
21:00      Drinks

Tuesday

08:00      Breakfast (Pilgrim’s Refectory)
09:00      Morning Prayer (Priory)
09:30      Coffee
11:00      Mass (Chantry Chapel)
12:30      Lunch
13:45      Visit to Roman Catholic Shrine and Holy Mile     ..............Walk, calling in at the parish church on the return.
16:30      Coffee
17:00      Mass in Holy House
17:30      Evening Prayer (Nave)
18:00      Shrine Prayers [Rosary] (Nave)
18:30      Supper (Pilgrim’s Refectory)
20:15      Liturgy of Healing and Reconciliation (Nave)
21:00      Drinks

Wednesday

08:00      Breakfast (Pilgrim’s Refectory)
09:00      Morning Prayer (Priory)
10:30      Coffee
11:00      Pilgrimage Mass (Nave)
12:30      Lunch
13:45      Free afternoon
16:30      Coffee
17:00      Mass in Holy House
17:30      Evening Prayer (Nave)
18:00      Shrine Prayers [Rosary] (Nave)
18:30      Supper (Pilgrim’s Refectory)
20:15      Procession and Benediction (Nave)
21:00      Drinks

Thursday

08:00      Breakfast (Pilgrim’s Refectory)
09:00      Morning Prayer (Priory)
09:30      Pack rooms and Cars
10:30      Coffee
11:00      Last Visit, Mass and Intercessions (Holy House)
12:30      Lunch
14:00      Return Home.

Items not in bold are optional, though you are encouraged to attend the 20:15 Services