We hope you enjoyed our celebration of prayers, hymns and reflections from our beautiful thatched church with its Marian Shrine. Our time includes hymns and prayers to Our Lady and Saint Joseph.

There were two talks: History of the Shrine and involvement of Pope Benedict XV, by the Shrine Pilgrimage Secretary, Phil Kerton, and ‘Praying the Hail Mary’ How to honour Mary, without diminishing her humanity. Dr Anne Inman.

Pope Benedict XV approved a new title for Our Lady in May 1921, impressed by the rapid development of the Oratory of St Francis de Sales since 1913 and the welcome given to World War One refugees. He indicated the shrine’s status as a Major Marian Shrine by attaching a Plenary Indulgence.