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Our Lady of Walsingham
March 28, 2020
Joachim Teigen
Vatican News
On March 29 at midday, Catholics and other Christians across England will take part in the “rededication” of the country to the Virgin Mary in the time of the coronavirus.
The re-dedication has been scheduled for years, but the current pandemic is described as “an example of why the rededication is so important at this moment."
Originally each English bishop was to hold a ceremony in his own cathedral, whilst a Mass was to be said at the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. With the new measures aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Britain, Christians will be invited to re-dedicate themselves and their country to the prayers of the Virgin Mary from their own homes.
On March, 25 Ireland, Spain and Portugal consecrated their countries and peoples to the Virgin Mary, seeking her protection during the pandemic. The rededication of England, however, has been in the planning since 2017. The event now takes on a new dimension as England and her people are once again dedicated to Our Lady amid turmoil and uncertainty.
“What can I contribute to that Dowry?” Cardinal Vincent Nichols asled all Catholics in England in the wake of the news that public Masses would be cancelled in all of Britain.
“We are Mary’s Dowry!" he said. "Please enrich that dowry by offering to her the best that you can give.”
The cardinal encouraged all Catholics in England to participate in the rededication from their homes.
Msgr. John Armitage, rector of the Catholic shrine at Walsingham, released a joint statement with the rector of the Anglican shrine, Father Kevin Smith. The statement says, “Today, fear and uncertainty about the future is affecting millions of lives around the world and within our own communities and families. We see in Mary one who was not shielded from life’s pain and difficulties. This is why we can look to Mary with confidence and trust in times of sorrow and joy.”
The original dedication of England took place in 1381, when King Richard II made a series of “Entrustment vows” during a ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The country was in the midst of political uncertainty with the Peasants’ Revolt against landlords. The 14-year-old king turned to the Virgin Mary for her protection.