Our ‘Pilgrimage Season’ runs from Easter until late September.
Pilgrimages are always day events. Regrettably there is no over-night accommodation available at the Shrine.
Pilgrimages must be arranged with us in advance – we do appreciate you giving us as much notice as possible. They 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.
We can accommodate up to 100 people. Greater numbers would need more careful planning.
Pilgrimage Programme
We are happy to discuss your specific requirements with you. Pilgrimages can be arranged for full or half days. To help you organise your day, a typical full day pilgrimage could be 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
In order to celebrate Mass, usually you would need to be accompanied by your own priest. 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.
Facilities at the Shrine
- There is ample parking space for cars and coaches
- We have limited provision in the Shrine church and grounds for wheel chairs but, sadly, access is not possible to the Secret Chapel for those with restricted mobility
- An Induction Loop System (for those with Hearing Aids) forms part of the sound system in the Shrine Church
- There is an accessible toilet within the Shrine grounds
- We have a small but well-stocked repository where you can buy post-cards, Shrine history booklets, greetings and Mass cards, medallions, statues and pictures
- The Rosary Way is situated on the large grass area next to the Shrine. It is freely available for the use of groups or individual pilgrims.
Catering
We ask that pilgrims bring their own lunches. We have beautiful grounds and outdoor seating which is ideal for picnics – weather permitting of course!
We are happy to provide coffee and tea or a cold drink. We invite pilgrims to make a small donation to catering as we do depend upon the goodwill of our parishioners in providing this service.
The Secret Chapel
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.
Donations
The parish here is very small and we rely ever-more on our pilgrims and visitors to keep this ancient Catholic Shrine open and available to visit. 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 a donation of £8 per person for an average pilgrimage, including visits to the Secret Chapel. We especially appreciate those who are able to Gift Aid their donation as this adds considerably to their value.
Donations can be made by cash/cheque or via an on-line terminal inside the entrance to the Shrine.
For online donations, please go to our diocese “justgiving” page and ensure that you mention the Shrine Church of Our Lady of Consolation with your donation.
Thank you
Booking
For further information about organising a pilgrimage and/or make a booking please email us at: pilgrimage.westgrinstead@
Alternatively, please write to the Pilgrimage Coordinator, Priest’s House, Park Lane, West Grinstead, Horsham, West Sussex. RH13 8LT. Telephone: 01403-710273
You may also be interested to know that we have a room in the 18th century part of The Priest’s House which is available for small groups of up to 15 people, throughout the year. It is ideal for ideal for visits such as Days of Recollection, First Communion and Confirmation Groups, away-days. Tea and coffee can be provided.
For further information or to book this room, please email us at: pilgrimage.westgrinstead@
The Arundel & Brighton Diocesan Trust is a Registered Charity No. 252878