The Catholic Defender: The Virgin Mary in Walsingham, England 1061
- Jan 16
- 3 min read
In 1061 AD Blessed Mary appeared to a woman in Walsingham, England.. Richerds de Faverches, had a series of visions of the Virgin Mary, who showed her the house in Nazareth where the angel Gabriel made his revelation of the forthcoming birth of Jesus.
Our Lady asked Richeldis to build a replica of the holy house here in Walsingham.
Our Lady is depicted as a simple woman, a mother, seated on the throne of wisdom.
This is in the midst of the Church, represented by the two pillars that are symbolic of the gate of Heaven, with seven rings to signify the seven sacraments and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
It is believed that it was here that the Angel Gabriel promised Mary that she would give birth to a son, Jesus.
Richeldis was then asked in this vision by Mary to build an exact copy of this house in Walsingham.
This is why Walsingham is often called the Nazareth of England.
Yes, the message of Walsingham is all about joy!
The Pynson Ballad reminds us that the Virgin Mary wanted the Holy House to be built as a reminder of the joy she felt at the Annunciation when Christ became incarnate.
This is what she desires for us: the fullness of joy that only God can give.
Devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham is always centered on the Mystery of the Annunciation.
It was at the Annunciation that Our Lady accepted God's invitation to be the Mother of God, the Theotokos.
She gave herself over to God's will and conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Pray, O holy mother of God, for the conversion of England, restoration of the sick, consolation for the afflicted, repentance of sinners, peace to the departed.
O blessed Mary, mother of God, our Lady of Walsingham, intercede for us. Amen.
A noblewoman named Richeldis de Faverches received three visions of the Virgin Mary, who showed her the house of the Annunciation in Nazareth and asked her to build a replica in Walsingham.
The original medieval shrine was destroyed in 1538 during the Reformation. Restoration began in the late 19th century (Catholic)
Today, Walsingham is a unique site of cooperation, housing both a Roman Catholic National Shrine
(Slipper Chapel) and an Anglican Shrine.
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The devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham in England is officially approved and celebrated, with the Vatican recently elevating its status to a national Feast Day (Sept 24) for English dioceses in 2024, building on centuries of papal recognition, including a canonical coronation in 1954 and John Paul II's decree for its September 24th celebration, making it a significant Marian title for England.
The Vatican, through Cardinal Arthur Roche, approved the request to raise the Obligatory Memorial of Our Lady of Walsingham to the rank of a Feast Day for England.
September 24th is now a nationally recognized Feast Day for Our Lady of Walsingham in England, honoring the medieval shrine.
The shrine dates back to 1061, when the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared to Richeldis de Faverches, asking her to build a replica of the Holy House in Nazareth.
Popes, including Pius XII (who granted a canonical coronation) and John Paul II (who visited and celebrated Mass there), have consistently approved and supported devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham.
England is known as Mary's "Dowry," and devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham is seen as England's return to Mary, with a national re-dedication occurring in 2020.
In July 2024, the Vatican formally approved raising the "Obligatory Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Walsingham" to a Feast in the National Calendar for England. As of 2026, this celebration is firmly established as a yearly feast on September 24 across English dioceses.
Pope Francis elevated the Roman Catholic National Shrine (the Slipper Chapel) to the status of a Minor Basilica.
Pope Pius XII granted a canonical coronation to the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham, which was carried out by the papal nuncio.
Pope Leo XIII officially re-founded the shrine and approved the restoration of public pilgrimages after centuries of suppression following the Reformation.
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