The Feast of the Annunciation, Saturday 25th 2023, was one of the most beautiful days of my life as before family and friends I offered myself to God as a member of the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham at my First Profession. Religious consecration is rooted in our baptism and it was a wonderful God-incidence to be making my vows on St Catherine of Siena’s birthday whose name I was given at my baptism! It is a joy to be able to give oneself wholly to God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in this way, knowing that he has chosen me from the beginning for that moment. To give my ‘yes’ to Him on the Feast of the Annunciation within a community dedicated to the ‘Fiat’ of Mary. 
I can’t thank God enough for the gift this community has been to me over the 10 years since I first met them in Walsingham. Each of them put so much work into making the day beautiful from decorating the village hall, to assembling a gorgeous flower crown for me (with real flowers!), to baking and decorating a fabulous cake and organising a spectacular ice cream bar enjoyed by children and adults alike.
I am so grateful for all of you faithful online followers as well. It is nice to know that you are out there, supporting the community, even if it is just casually hitting the ‘like’ button on our Facebook page. It is especially lovely when we get to meet you in person though it can be a bit disconcerting when someone you haven’t met before opens a conversation with, “that cake you had the other day looked delicious!”
Please continue to pray for me in these coming years of discernment ahead of Perpetual Profession of Vows which will, God willing, take place in 3 – 5 years. Pray also for those who have recently joined our community and those discerning joining over the next few years, especially as we are rapidly running out of space in our Convent already! May God bless each one of you and through the intercession of Our Lady of Walsingham draw you deeper into union with Him who is source and fount of all life and love.
Keep an eye out for more photos over the coming days!
– Sr Catherine COLW