Re-dedication of England as the ‘Dowry of Mary’ During the course of 2018 until 21 March 2020, the statue of Mary, Our Lady, Mother of God, has been taken from the Slipper Chapel at the Catholic National Shrine in Walsingham to each Catholic Cathedral in England for 3 days of prayer. March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, begins the re-dedication of England as the ‘Dowry of Mary’, in all Catholic Churches in England. At the Annunciation over 2000 years ago, a simple girl called Mary, living in Nazareth in the Israel of today, accepted the message from the angel Gabriel that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas on December 25.
The title ‘Dowry of Mary’ traditionally was given by St Edward the Confessor (1042-1066). Walsingham, Norfolk, is the site of a chapel built in 1061 by Richeldis the Lady of the Manor, who wanted to honour Mary, the Mother of God. Richeldis had a vision in which ‘in spirit’, she was led to the House of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Mary asked her to build a replica in Walsingham. Richeldis was given the exact measurements and had this vision 3 times.
In 1381, the English King Richard ll in Westminster Abbey dedicated, England to Mary as her Dowry, and asking for protection for England; there is a painting showing this, called the Wilton Diptych in London’s National Gallery. Walsingham became a great shrine, and place of pilgrimage, including for the Kings of England, up to and including Henry Vlll.
At the re-dedication we pray for England, and all her people, asking for the intercession of Mary.
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