St. Catherine of Alexandria

On Saturday (I am backdating) we went to the noon mass at the slipper chapel shrine in Walsingham. Fortunately it was for a wonderful saint, who the slipper chapel is dedicated to (you can see her on the Gospel side of the reredos on my previous post). The famous firework, the 'Catherine Wheel' is even named after her, which she was martyred by, and often depicted with. I'm not really sure how it worked. Here is a picture of Fr. Noel Wynn preaching on the subject:

He made the point that political correctness even runs into the Church, since after Vatican II her feast day was removed because of doubt in her historical authenticity! Luckily in the new millenium it was reinstated and now the wonderful saint, patron of pilgrims, can be suitably celebrated. It is well worth going to the Shrine mass at the weekend, because they seem to reverently celebrate with incense, choir (sometimes Latin Gloria, Credo, Agnus Dei etc.) and the deacon was even wearing a dalmatic (just seen sitting behind the altar in the picture above). Also in the picture above you can just see the tabernacle on the right hand side - which although not central in the sanctuary how I like it, is nevertheless prominent.

The Chapel of Reconciliation was built in 1980 for the large number of pilgrims previously using an outdoor altar (still incorporated into the existing structure with the panelling behind the sanctuary opening up to give a window to the outside if numbers exceed the chapel's capacity). The style of the chapel is actually derived from a typical Norfolk barn (make of that what you will) with a wooden roof and steel beams supporting it. This actually made me feel very secure as I heard the wintry storm blowing outside!

My real joy comes in visiting the beautiful slipper chapel. I always have something to bring before Our Lady of Walsingham. This time it was immense thanksgiving at the gift of new life now growing in Wendy, and petition for a safe delivery! It was through fervent prayers to Our Lady there, earlier this year, that enabled this to come to pass. The Blessed Virgin Mary will not let you down!