What's New

 6-9th May 2006

 21 Pilgrims made their way to the seaside town of Nettuno for the annual Festival of Our Lady of Grace, and were royally received by the Confraternity of Our Lady of Grace.

We participated in the largest religious procession in Italy, when more  than 200,000 people processed with the figure of Our Lady of Grace ( the very one which, until 1538, was in Ipswich at the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace in  Lady Lane), from the Sanctuary Church to the main town Church of S.Giovanni.

 (The first photo shows Mr Norman Underwood from Ipswich carrying the  figure, alongside Fr.Haley Dossor, parish priest at St Mary at the Elms, and the others views of the front of the Sanctuary at the image of Our Lady of  Grace came down the steps.)

 The next day a special Mass for the Confraternity ( which has 250 men and 150 women, whose task is to care for the Shrine) was held in the evening, followed by a firework display over the harbour.

 The figure of Our Lady will stay in the town Church for a week, during which various religious events will take place - Bible studies, candlelit

 processions of penitence ( an average of 2000 people participating each evening), and teaching sessions.

 The image will be taken in procession back to the Sanctuary on Sunday 14th May.

 40 Italian pilgrims will make the return journey to Ipswich for the  weekend of 26th - 31st May, and join in the procession of Our Lady of Grace at

 Ipswich ( a copy of the original statue now in Nettuno) from St Mary at  the Elms Church to the original site of the Shrine in Lady Lane which will

 take place on Saturday 27th May at 2.30pm.

 For further information contact:

 Fr.Haley Dossor

 01473-216484