Setting up the site...

"Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight" (Isaiah 40:3)

The team has been working hard all week to prepare the site, to welcome you and to welcome the Lord!

Some of the team

The tents go up

Relaxing at the end of the day

We look forward to seeing you very soon!!

First Press Coverage of Walsingham!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6808514.ece

We are excited to bring you a Times online article which appeared at the weekend on one of our guest speakers, Eduardo Verastegui!

Important Information for all Festival-Goers!

We bring you some last-minute reminders relevant to our Safeguarding Policy. Please have a read so that you know what to expect when you arrive! Any queries, contact the National Office.

• If you are bringing under 16s to the Festival: they must be accompanied by a responsible guardian, at a ratio of 1 adult to every 5 children.
• Every group with under 16s must be accompanied by at least 2 responsible guardians: otherwise, in the event of an emergency that results in one of the minors having to leave the retreat, the remainder of the group will have to leave the retreat with the guardian too.
  
• If you are bringing a group of under 16s with both boys and girls and you are staying overnight: the group must be accompanied by the correct number of male and female guardians who must sleep in the same accommodation. Minors cannot be left unsupervised at any time.
• If you are 35 or over and you are not part of a family group, or not acting as a guardian to under 16s, we suggest (1) stay in a B&B in the village; (2) bring your own tent and camp in the pond field (we can direct you when you arrive) - this is an area put aside for over-35 volunteers at the festival. If you are attending with a family group, you must stay in the designated family area.
  

From the Emerald Isle we welcome Emmet!

Emmet is 27 years old and was born, bred and reared in Ireland. He has a Social Care Degree and worked with individuals with intellectual disabilities for a number of years before studying Theology. While studying Theology Emmet met Pure in Heart who are a Irish Youth Group based in Dublin and through attending their prayer meetings he realised the true meaning and beauty of human sexuality and how it comes to its fullest expression in marriage (see Pureinheart.net). Emmet joined the Pure in Heart mission team 2 years ago and has been giving talks,power point presentations and workshops on sex, relationships and a true love that is pure. He has spoken to young and old in hundreds of schools in Ireland. Emmet has also been involved in Pure in Heart missions in the UK, Haiti and Kenya. The mission team also spoke in Harvard University where a Pure in Heart prayer group has now been established. The new Pure in Heart mission team also consists of Ken Parkes, Conel O'Callighan and Aine Kerns who are all from Ireland.

We look forward to seeing and hearing all of the Pure in Heart team at Walsingham this year.

Introducing... Fr Danko Perutina!

Fr Danko will be joining us on the evening of Sunday 30th August to lead us into the testimony session. He is a Franciscan priest based in Medjugorje. Just last week he directed the annual youth festival in Medjugorje at which 50,000 young people from 60 different countries were present. It was an extremely joyful week and we are excited that Fr Danko, who is a powerful speaker with a particular charism for young people, will be able to join us! 

Introducing to Walsingham 2009: Eduardo Verastegui!

This year at our Walsingham Prayer Festival we will be joined by Eduardo Verastegui!

Eduardo Verastegui is a Mexican actor and singer who had an amazing conversion experience.

At the height of his career when he had finally established himself in Hollywood, he decided to give up his secular lifestyle and use his talents to serve God.

He acted in and produced the film “Bella" (www.bellathemovie.com) an amazing pro-life film which has won many awards including the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival and which to date, has saved the lives of many babies! He also founded "Metanoia Films", a production company in Hollywood, determined to make films that reflect faith and virtue.

He is an active international speaker on pro-life issues and continues to share his powerful testimony and inspire young people to follow a path that leads to Christ. He is coming to talk to us about 'The Call to Holiness' and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the UK.