Pilgrimages

  • Our ‘Pilgrimage Season’ runs from Easter (Low Sunday) until late September.
  • Pilgrimages are always DAY EVENTS: Regrettably there is no over-night accommodation available at the Shrine.
  • Pilgrimages can be arranged for most days, but Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday are preferred. Sunday events have to be scheduled around our Parish Mass which begins at 11.15am.
  • Clearly, it is important that you check the proposed date(s) and approximate programme with your Parish Priest, and any other key members of your team, BEFORE contacting us.
  • It is also vital that you then check the availability of your date with us: please don’t just arrive on spec!

Sanctuary

SIZE OF PILGRIMAGES

We can comfortably accommodate up to 100 people.  Greater numbers need very careful planning.

PILGRIMAGE PROGRAMME

We are happy to discuss your specific requirements with you. A typical pattern for a day-pilgrimage is as follows:-

About 10.30    Arrive: Greeting and announcements 

11.00am          Devotional or history talk, Rosary

12 noon           Mid-day Angelus and Holy Mass *

12.45pm          Lunch 

2.00pm            Visit(s) to the Secret Chapel (in the House) /

Rosary / Adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament

(time for personal prayer) 

3.30pm            Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament

4.00pm            Tea (if pre-arranged) and depart

There is limited provision in the Shrine Church and grounds for Wheel Chairs. (Sadly, access is not possible to the Secret Chapel for the handicapped.)

  • An Induction Loop System (for those with Hearing Aids) forms part of the sound system in the Shrine Church.
  • A Toilet for the Disabled is also available.
  • There is ample parking space for cars and coaches.
  • HOLY MASS is usually celebrated in Ordinary Form and, since the recent sad death of Fr David Goddard, you would need to be accompanied by your own priest, in order to celebrate Mass.
  • Mass in the Extraordinary Form (Latin) is always dependant on your bringing your own Celebrant with you.

Servers are asked to bring their own robes. 

CATERING

Pilgrims are asked to bring their own picnic lunches. However, we are pleased to provide coffee and tea at the agreed times. The coffee and tea we provide is of a high standard and pilgrims are invited to make a suitable donation towards providing this. Assuming the weather to be suitable, we encourage pilgrims to eat their lunches in the Shrine grounds.

Given that we rely on the goodwill of our parishioners for help with the catering, last minute changes in arrangements can sometimes cause us frustration and embarrassment.

There is a small but well-stocked REPOSITORY. (Post-Cards, Shrine History booklets, Greetings and Mass Cards, medallions, statues, pictures, etc….)

THE SECRET CHAPEL in the attic of the Priest’s House can be viewed by arrangement. This does involve climbing two fairly steep and narrow staircases with a total of 27 steps. For reasons of health & safety, the Chapel is limited to a maximum of twelve people at any one time.

There is a display case on the ground floor of the Priest’s House which includes a number of ancient artefacts associated with the recusant history of West Grinstead, its Priest’s House and Blessed Frances Bell.

The ROSARY WAY is situated on the large grass area to the north of the Shrine. It is freely available for the use of groups or individual pilgrims.

Consolata

DONATIONS

Although we do not have a fixed charge for the ministry we provide for our pilgrims and visitors, we do request that they may be prepared to make a contribution towards the work and upkeep of the Shrine. May we suggest that a donation of £8 per head (or £10 per head to include refreshments) would seem to be reasonable for an average pilgrimage, including visits to the Secret Chapel. (The parish here is very small: we rely ever-more on our pilgrims and visitors to keep this ancient Catholic Shrine open and available).  Those who are tax-payers are respectfully reminded that to Gift Aid their donation, adds considerably to its value, at no extra expensive to the Giver.  We thank you in advance!

For Online donations, please click on the following link, and ensure that you mention the ‘Church of Our Lady of Consolation’ with your submission: thank you indeed!: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/parishoffertory

BOOKING

When organising a suitable date for a pilgrimage or for further details relating to the Pilgrimage programme, please fill in the on-line booking form below, BUT, GIVEN CURRENT SOFTWARE UPDATES, IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE WITHIN A FEW DAYS, please contact the Priest’s House, Park Lane, West Grinstead, Horsham, West Sussex. RH13 8LT. Telephone: 01403-710273 or email: geoff.callister@gmail.com

We like at least a clear month’s notice when negotiating Pilgrimages.

You may also be interested to know that we have an attractive and comfortable room available in the 18th century part of The Priest’s House, throughout the year. Accommodating up to fifteen people, it is ideal for Days of Recollection, First Communion and Confirmation Groups, Away-Days, etc. Tea and coffee can be provided.

For further information and to book this room, please contact phone us on 01403 710273 or alternatively email: geoff.callister@gmail.com.

(It is essential we liaise and agree your date with you – by phone, email or letter – first)
Please note that there are 27 fairly narrow steps over 2 staircases with handrails, and there is a limit of 12 people at a time in the Chapel.
(If yes, please remember to bring your own robes)

Once submitted, we shall confirm your booking by email, but please do not assume it is booked until you receive this confirmation! 

Alternatively, you can apply using a printed, completed version of this form, and posted to:
Geoff Callister, Pilgrimage Coordinator, The Priest’s House, Park Lane, West Grinstead, Horsham,
West Sussex. RH13 8LT. Telephone: 01403–710273
Email: geoff.callister@gmail.com

The Arundel & Brighton Diocesan Trust is a Registered Charity No. 252878