In 1976, the punk phenomenon swept through the streets of Britain. They were noisy, they looked different and their sweary, anarchistic language shocked the grown-ups. A loud and visible “up yours” to the prevailing culture that left the post-war generation shocked and baffled.

Half a century later and everything has turned on its head. The crushing illiberalism of the prevailing liberal culture does not know what to make of the swathes of well-dressed, polite and nicely spoken young people walking through the streets of Walsingham this weekend. They shun the accepted norms of coarseness and vulgarity, of non-binary fashion, of vacuous, fast-paced entertainment. Instead, an antithesis, as they process in a measured, dignified and solemn column, singing the ancient words that declare a new generation’s allegiance to Jesus Christ – Gloria, laus et honor tibi sit, Rex Christe Redemptor.

The punks came and went in a matter of three years, tearing through music, fashion and society in a tumultuous riot, then dissipating into a thousand genres. Arguably, much of the prevailing culture owes a debt to this high-octane manifestation of youth energy and dissatisfaction. But ultimately it was a passing phenomenon.

Traditional young Catholics, however, are here to stay. I can say this confidently because, unlike the seemingly spontaneous and sui generis punks, Catholics have been walking these streets for hundreds of years and have weathered countless storms.

This year’s Latin Mass Society walking pilgrimage from Ely to Walsingham was not without its storms! Volunteers set up the first night’s camp in torrential rain and strong winds, the sun breaking through just in time for the pilgrims to start arriving to register. And the rain continued over the weekend. Record numbers of pilgrims needed the assistance of the tireless team of first aiders for the blistering effects of wet boots. Wet tents from the night before were put up and taken down in the rain and joined the giant pile of wet luggage that was transported from venue to venue. There were no showers and nowhere to dry wet clothes.

Why on earth would anyone sign up for this? Well, you would have to ask a pilgrim.

But the sight of hundreds of young people processing through Walsingham towards High Mass in the ruins of the Abbey grounds yesterday marks a new era. These young people have grit; they are committed and determined; they have vitality and optimism; and they are serious about the Catholic Faith.

These young people are going to shake up society.