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ENGLAND WAS REDEDICATED TO MARY AFTER CENTURIES ON SUNDAY 29th MARCH 2020. More than half a million people took part in the rededication of England as the Dowry of Mary. This was accomplished via livestream from England's Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.
First Dedication
King Richard II - eighth King of the House of Plantagenet - oversaw the first dedication of England to Our Lady in 1381 during the Peasant's Revolt. The 1381 poll tax was the spark which led to the revolt during which many were killed. The root of the conflict lay within tensions between landowners and peasants. These tensions were precipitated by the economic and demographic consequences of the bubonic plague pandemic and subsequent outbreaks of the plague.
King Richard II made the dedication in Westminster Abbey as he sought the protection of Our Lady in the face of the great political turmoil. At this point, England received the title 'Mary's Dowry'; meaning that England was set aside as a gift, a dowry, for Our Lady under her guidance and protection. [1]
2020 Dedication
This year, English bishops had originally asked for gatherings in churches and cathedrals for the rededication but were constrained to change their plans due to the coronavirus pandemic. The bishops then extended the invitation to follow the rededication ceremony live at home via livestream. Pope Francis has prayed that the rededication would "inspire all to persevere in the urgent task of sharing the joy of the Gospel with the men and women of our times." (EWTN Vatican video from Twitter)
First Dedication
King Richard II - eighth King of the House of Plantagenet - oversaw the first dedication of England to Our Lady in 1381 during the Peasant's Revolt. The 1381 poll tax was the spark which led to the revolt during which many were killed. The root of the conflict lay within tensions between landowners and peasants. These tensions were precipitated by the economic and demographic consequences of the bubonic plague pandemic and subsequent outbreaks of the plague.
King Richard II made the dedication in Westminster Abbey as he sought the protection of Our Lady in the face of the great political turmoil. At this point, England received the title 'Mary's Dowry'; meaning that England was set aside as a gift, a dowry, for Our Lady under her guidance and protection. [1]
2020 Dedication
This year, English bishops had originally asked for gatherings in churches and cathedrals for the rededication but were constrained to change their plans due to the coronavirus pandemic. The bishops then extended the invitation to follow the rededication ceremony live at home via livestream. Pope Francis has prayed that the rededication would "inspire all to persevere in the urgent task of sharing the joy of the Gospel with the men and women of our times." (EWTN Vatican video from Twitter)
We turn to Mary in our hour of need
Cardinal Vincent Nichols said "What is particularly interesting is that in 1360 when Richard II was king, the country was recovering from the ravishing of the Black Death, which had slaughtered vast swathes of Europe. Now this virus is not of the same measure, but we still turn to Mary in our hour of need." [2] Pope Francis had blessed the new image of Our Lady of Walsingham presented by Cardinal Nichols. [2]
Cardinal Vincent Nichols said "What is particularly interesting is that in 1360 when Richard II was king, the country was recovering from the ravishing of the Black Death, which had slaughtered vast swathes of Europe. Now this virus is not of the same measure, but we still turn to Mary in our hour of need." [2] Pope Francis had blessed the new image of Our Lady of Walsingham presented by Cardinal Nichols. [2]
History of Shrine of Walsingham
In 1061 the holy widow Richeldis, lady of the manor at of Little Walsingham in Norfolk, prayed to Our Lady to ask how she could honour her in some special way. In answer, Mary led Richeldis in spirit to Nazareth and showed her the house in which she had first received the angel's message.
Mary told Richeldis to take the measurements of this house and build another one like it in Walsingham. It would be a place where people would come to honour her and her Son, remembering especially the mystery of the Annunciation and Mary's joyful 'yes' to the conception of the Saviour. [3] Walsingham thereafter became a place of pilgrimage for England, one built by one of their own countrywomen.
Mary told Richeldis to take the measurements of this house and build another one like it in Walsingham. It would be a place where people would come to honour her and her Son, remembering especially the mystery of the Annunciation and Mary's joyful 'yes' to the conception of the Saviour. [3] Walsingham thereafter became a place of pilgrimage for England, one built by one of their own countrywomen.
After some time Augustinian canons took over the care of the holy house and enshrined it in a special chapel within a larger church. Pilgrims came from England and abroad to seek peace in prayer at the Shrine. Walsingham ranked with Jerusalem, Rome and Compostella in importance as a pilgrimage destination. [3] Walsingham is believed to be the oldest Shrine to Our Lady in the world.
Walsingham Shrine destroyed
During the strife and upheavals of the Reformation, Marian shrines throughout England were destroyed. The Walsingham Shrine was stripped at Cromwell's orders in 1538. The statue of the Blessed Virgin was taken by cart to Chelsea, where it was publicly burnt. [4]
During the destruction of the Shrine, some local men fought back. They could not bear to stand by and watch all they had known and loved torn apart. Their protests ended in tragedy. They were arrested for treason and hung, drawn and quartered in a field close to the Shrine. It is still known today as 'Martyr's Field'. [5] A lament for Our Lady's Shrine at Walsingham remains extant from the sixteenth century. [6]
During the destruction of the Shrine, some local men fought back. They could not bear to stand by and watch all they had known and loved torn apart. Their protests ended in tragedy. They were arrested for treason and hung, drawn and quartered in a field close to the Shrine. It is still known today as 'Martyr's Field'. [5] A lament for Our Lady's Shrine at Walsingham remains extant from the sixteenth century. [6]
Walsingham Shrine renewed
In 1896 a Catholic convert named Charlotte Boyd bought the Slipper Chapel, which for years had been used as a cow barn. She restored it to its former beauty and pilgrims began to return to Walsingham. In 1934, Cardinal Bourne declared the Slipper Chapel as England's National Shrine to Our Lady. At the same time, the Church of England built a new Shrine to Our Lady of Walsingham in the same village.
In 1984, the Chapel of Reconciliation was built next to the Slipper Chapel in the design of a Saxon house. Here pilgrims pray for forgiveness and healing between Christians. Pilgrims attend both Catholic and Anglican Shrines at Walsingham in their thousands.
In 1984, the Chapel of Reconciliation was built next to the Slipper Chapel in the design of a Saxon house. Here pilgrims pray for forgiveness and healing between Christians. Pilgrims attend both Catholic and Anglican Shrines at Walsingham in their thousands.
Dowry of Mary
The sixteenth century poem entitled "A lament for Our Lady's Shrine at Walsingham" enshrined the tragedy of the Walsingham events. [6] The plaint of the Walsingham poet and the martyrdom of the defenders of Our Lady's Shrine are, six centuries later, remembered in prayer as poignant grief turned to joy while England once more was rededicated as the Dowry of Mary.
Hymn to Our Lady of Walsingham
Mary of Walsingham
Mary of Walsingham,
Mother of Jesus;
pray for thy dowry the
land that we love.
England has need of thy
powerful protection,
Pour on thy children thy
gifts from above.
Thou who didst summon
thy servant Richeldis,
Bidding her to build to thine
honour a Shrine;
Help us to follow in thy
Blessed footsteps,
Framing our lives on thy
pattern divine.
Countless the pilgrims whose
footsteps have echoed;
Down through the years
Along Walsingham's Way.
Countless the prayers that
thy children have offered;
Mary of Walsingham hear us
we pray.
Many long years saw thine
image neglected;
Only a few sought the help of
thy prayers,
Walsingham Shrine now
again in its beauty;
welcomes each pilgrim who
thither repairs.
So shall we praise thee with
ceaseless thanksgiving;
So shall we sing of thy love
and thy power,
So shall we feel thy protection
and comfort;
All through our lives and in
death's solemn hour.
[1] The rededication of England as the Dowry of Mary
https://www.walsingham.org.uk/rededication/
[2] Cardinal Nichols on the rededication of England as Mary's Dowry, Alleged News
https://www.walsingham.org.uk/rededication/
[2] Cardinal Nichols on the rededication of England as Mary's Dowry, Alleged News
[3] The Story of Walsingham
[4] Dr Luky Whittle PhD, 1996. In praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Master's Thesis University of the Orange Free State. Page 82
[5] The Story of Walsingham
Search Results
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[6] A Lament for Our Lady's Shrine at Walsingham
https://lumierecharitymarian.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-lament-for-our-ladys-shrine-at.html
https://lumierecharitymarian.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-lament-for-our-ladys-shrine-at.html
With thanks to walsingham.org, EWTNVatican, vaticannews.va, walsinghamcommunity.org and youtube
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