Shrine sees events from Easter and beyond cancelled

The Image of Our Lady of Walsingham in the Holy House is dressed in a white mantle on Easter Day. Picture: Graham Howard (Image: Archant)

Father Kevin Smith, the priest administrator at The Shrine Of Our Lady Of Walsingham, should have been preparing for one of the busiest weekends as the shrine joined with the village’s parish church to celebrate Easter.

They were instead preparing an online stream as the shrine is closed due to coronavirus.

Fr Kevin Smith, who has been the head of the shrine since 2016, said: “It is very sad and a completely new experience for us. We have no one here to celebrate with us and we would have liked to keep the shrine open to everyone to visit.”

Works of prayer and worship are being continued by the priests there despite the lock-down, with a live stream every day for all pilgrims.

Father Kevin Smith, Priest Administrator, speaks at the launch of Pilgrim's Pale Ale, a collaboration between The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham and Barsham Brewery. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Plans for the future are still uncertain, with the youth pilgrimage, which sees hundreds of young pilgrims from all over the world visit Walsingham, being cancelled.

The Calvary (with its three crosses) in the Shrine gardens holds special significance at Easter. Picture: Tessa Hobbs (Image: Archant)

Easter Day is celebrated each year at St. Mary’s Parish Church, Little Walsingham. Picture: Keith Tuck (Image: Archant)