The Latin Mass Society (LMS) pilgrimage to Walsingham has seen an increase in attendance following the promulgation of Traditionis Custodes despite the restrictions it placed upon the old rite.

LMS chairman Dr Joseph Shaw said: “It's grown a lot since Traditionis Custodes and that might seem a paradox, but of course it's shining a light on what we're doing and drawing people's attention to the Traditional Mass. It always encourages people to explore it.”

He said the intention of the pilgrimage since its founding in 2009 has been primarily for the conversion of England to the Catholic Faith, and is accompanied by prayers for the local bishop and the private intentions brought by pilgrims. More than 250,000 people visit the National Shrine each year.

The devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham dates to 1061, when the Virgin Mary appeared to Richeldis de Faverches and asked her to build a replica of her home in Nazareth. The Walsingham site became known as “England’s Nazareth” and was one of the four major shrines in medieval Europe alongside Rome, Compostella, and Jerusalem.

Dr Shaw noted its importance to Catholic Christendom, stating that it was the “place where Our Lady appeared not just to an individual but to establish a replica of her house as an alternative for people to travel to Jerusalem and Bethlehem and the Holy Land. They could come here to gain those graces and to have that experience of standing in the holy place.”

The pilgrimage, which is more than 50 miles in length, travels to the site of what was once the Holy House.

“We go there out of devotion to what was once there,” he said. “But the shrine with its Slipper Chapel, which is a medieval building, and to have Mass in that place the official shrine, it's a very exciting thing after such a long walk”.

LMS stated that the pilgrimage is “inspired by our medieval predecessors, the contemporary Chartres Pilgrimage, and similar events around the world today”.

“Each day will have High Mass in the traditional Roman Rite, devotions, chants, hymns and songs, to honour Our Lady of Walsingham and pray for the conversion of England. The final day concludes in Walsingham with High Mass and devotions at the site of the medieval shrine at the Priory Ruins.”

In 1896 Charlotte Pearson Boyd, a convert to Catholicism, purchased the Slipper Chapel and commissioned its restoration. The first Catholic pilgrimage to Walsingham since the Reformation occurred in 1897. Pope Francis elevated the shrine precinct to the status of Minor Basilica in 2015.

The LMS Walsingham walking pilgrimage will take place from August 27 and 30. Alternatively, there is a day pilgrimage taking place on August 30. Those interested can register here.