Nearly 500 years after King Henry VIII had England's Walsingham shrine robbed and its sub-prior executed, 500 young Catholics gathered in its ruins for Mass this August.
Known as "England's Nazareth," Walsingham became one of medieval Europe's four major pilgrim destinations, alongside Rome, Jerusalem, and Santiago de Compostela. In 1538, Henry VIII had the shrine destroyed, and its sub-prior executed for alleged treason. It wasn't restored until 1897.
This August 27–30, organizers led a pilgrimage from London – nearly 250 people walking the full 54-mile route through heavy rain, reciting devotions and hymns the entire way.
Joseph Shaw, chairman of the Latin Mass Society, said: "No one has been canvassing or knocking on doors. Instead, young people have discovered something they can aspire to and move towards."
One young pilgrim said the Latin Mass gave him "inner peace and something to live for." He doesn't think Traditionis Custodes should have restricted the Mass: "if something brings people closer to Christ, I think it should be allowed."
Shaw says Walsingham's pilgrimage numbers are projected to grow 20% annually. The real story is already being written outside the Vatican's offices.
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