PILGRIMAGE OF OUR LADY OF GRACE
Following the re-establishment of the Shrine of Our lady of Grace in Ipswich, and building on previous journeys made by the Meryemana Group, pilgrims from Ipswich and beyond now regularly visit the seaside town of Nettuno on the first weekend in May.
In Nettuno, the pilgrims are welcomed and receive hospitality from the Confraternity of Nettuno, which has a membership of 250 men and 150 women, whose task is to take care of the Shrine. The Pilgrimage this year (2006) consisted of 21 people who were royally received by the Confraternity. Whilst in Nettuno, the pilgrims 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, till 1538, was in Ipswich at the Shrine in Lady Lane) from the Sanctuary Church to the main town Church of S. Giovanni, where it would remain for the week. The following day, a special Mass for the Confraternity was held in the evening, followed by a firework display over the harbour. The figure of Our Lady stays in the town church for a week, during which various religious events take place, e.g. Bible studies, candlelit processions of penitence (average of 2000 people participating in these) and teaching sessions.
During this year’s Pilgrimage to Nettuno, the Prior of the Confraternity of Our lady of Grace of Nettuno apologised in a welcoming speech that Ipswich had lost their Madonna. In reply, Fr Haley Dossor said that Our lady of grace was not lost but shared, that her small house in Ipswich was transformed into her larger house in Nettuno, that from small beginnings great things had grown. Evviva Maria!
Some 40 Italian pilgrims made the return journey to Ipswich this year for the weekend of 26th-31st May for the annual procession from the Shrine at St Mary at the Elms to the site of the original Shrine in lady lane. The Italian pilgrims also formed a colourful contingent at this year’s National Walsingham Pilgrimage.
Next year’s Pilgrimage will be from 4th-8th May 2007 in Nettuno,with the Ipswich pilgrimage taking place on Saturday 26th May. Details from; Mrs Celia Bush, tel. 01473 423750, e-mail celia.bush@ntlworld.com