✦ COME & SEE WEEKEND • 13–15 JUNE 2025 • YOUNG WOMEN 18–35
Lay Branch
Living Mary’s “yes” in the heart of everyday life.
Living our daily Fiat in the world
The Lay Branch is one of three branches of the COLW. In this contemplative and apostolic family, lay members live the spirituality of the community while living in the world.
Our formation journey
Formation in the Lay Branch of the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham (COLW) is a lifelong journey along the path of interior transformation, with the aim of helping each one of us discover the full meaning of our life in Christ.
This interior ‘pilgrimage’ to Walsingham is an "integral" journey, covering all dimensions of our life, with the ultimate goal being to allow Christ to "become flesh" in us, so that, like Mary, we can offer Him to the world.
Initial Discovery and Discernment
We run an annual 8 month online formation course, led by Brian and Elizabeth Sudlow, which allows you to explore the community's distinct "charism" (spirit) and provide essential time for reflection to understand God’s individual call to your heart. The shared journey as a community and individual accompaniment, all support you at this stage, to hear the voice of the Lord to discern a possible call to candidacy.
During this time, you are also welcome to visit our Sisters in Dereham to experience the community's contemplative life firsthand.
Candidacy (Normally 2 Years)
If you discern a call to move forward, you enter Candidacy, a two-year period of getting to know the COLW Ecclesial Family. You will follow a program of initial formation, and be introduced to our “Rule of Life". Throughout this stage, you will receive individual accompaniment and spiritual direction to support your discernment. Depending upon individual discernment, the initial discovery year can sometimes count towards the candidacy period.
Temporary Commitment (Up to 4 Years)
Based upon your own discernment in Spiritual Direction and by invitation from the Community, following Candidacy, you make an initial temporary promise to live according to the Rule of Life and to continue your formation through regular attendance at online and in-person meetings and events. The initial promise is renewable annually for up to four years.
During this stage, you would also follow an individually planned path of in-depth formation, supported by your spiritual director. Your commitment is to live out the Rule of Life and the Spirituality of Walsingham in your home, your workplace or wherever you are. All our Lay Members learn to turn our own hearts and even our homes into a "little Holy House" rooted in Mary’s Fiat.
Permanent Commitment and Ongoing Formation
The final stage requires a solemn promise to live the charism in full membership of our Ecclesial Family.
Formation from now on will be ongoing, lasting a lifetime, as we continue to stand symbolically where Mary stood, uttering our own "yes" to God in every moment of our life (the sorrowful as well as the joyful!).
Personal stories
Discover how members of the Lay Branch live their calling in everyday life.
Our Rule of Life
A spiritual guide to living our daily Fiat in the world. Download the introduction and full Rule of Life for the COLW Lay Branch.
Come and meet the community
Discover our life of prayer and community. We would love to hear from you.
Community of Our Lady
of Walsingham