Translation Anniversaries
of Thursday October 15th 1931
how the October anniversaries were recorded in Our Lady's Mirror
during Fr Patten’s lifetime
1932
"The first anniversary of the Translation, as the
opening of the Shrine has generally come to be called, was
observed with a Triduum, or three days of prayer, kept
simultaneously in the parish church, and at the same time in the Holy
House. This was no small undertaking for a small village. On October
15th, the actual anniversary of the Translation, the first Children's
pilgrimage came to the Holy House."
1935
"Tuesday, October 15th, was the fourth Anniversary
of the Translation of the Image of Our Lady from the Parish Church
and the opening of the re-erected Holy House.”
1939
"October 15th was the eighth anniversary of the
blessing and opening of the reconstructed Holy House. What a
wonderful day that was, in one sense far more than June 6th last
year. As the 15th was a Sunday, the commemoration was transferred
to Monday, 16th. There could be no pilgrimage, as it was so different
from former years. However, the Administrator sang Mass in the
Pilgrimage Church, at 10 o’clock, after which a visit was made to the
Holy House, when Te Deum and the Salve were sung. Only thirty
people were able to assist."
1947
"October the 15th, the sixteenth anniversary of the
opening of the new buildings, or, as we call it locally, “The Translation
of Our Lady of Walsingham”, was observed as a High Day at the
Shrine. Solemn Benediction was given on the Eve, and High Mass was
sung on the day itself – when a large number of people from the
village, who are devoted to Our Lady of Walsingham, assisted."
1952
"We do hope all who possibly can will come to the
Birthday Pilgrimage of the Holy House on October 14th-15th, and
that at least every parish which has a cell, or from which pilgrims
come, and those who have benefited by the prayers of Our Lady of
Walsingham, will either come themselves or send representatives. Do
not forget the day pilgrimage on October 15th, or for those who can
spare more time, the 14th and 15th. As stated in the last Mirror it is
proposed to have a torchlight procession to St Mary's on the 14th,
and a return at mid-day followed by a High Mass on the 15th etc.
There has been a proposal that there should be an all-night watch on
the 14th-15th."
1953
"The last pilgrimage fixture for the year was held on
Saturday, October 17th, led by Father Hall from Norwich. The rain
teemed down most of the day and so we think they must have
agreed that late autumn and winter are not the best season for
taking the pilgrimage road."
1956
A long description of the 1956 jubilee celebrations
was printed in Our Lady’s Mirror Autumn 1956.
1957
"Today the twenty-sixth anniversary of the
Translation of Our Lady of Walsingham to the rebuilt Shrine of the
Holy House (October 15th) dawned rather mistily and like any other
lovely autumn morning, but soon the sun broke through and we are
enjoying a glorious October day. High Mass was sung in the
Pilgrimage Church followed by a visit to the Holy House which was
beautifully decorated with flowers and lights, and this evening we are
hoping to have Benediction and Te Deum to thank God for the gift of
our Heavenly Mother and all the graces and other favours she has
procured for us by her prayers."
There was no mention of the Translation anniversary in Our Lady’s
Mirror in 1958: the autumn issue was taken up with memorials to Fr
Patten, who had died on August 11th.
1931 pictures
The Translation procession leaving
the parish church on its way to the
new Shrine on October 15th 1931
Sir William Milner, holding the
candle, was one of the chief
benefactors of the Shrine
nuns in the procession
the image of Our Lady entering
the new Shrine
The Translation anniversary was not mentioned in Our Lady's Mirror every year
