Hi Father Bill,

I'm Lynette, a 2nd year studying at the University of Bath, just in case you've forgotten. : )

Well, firstly, I would like to wish you a very Happy Easter! Hope you had a good Easter weekend.

I went for the Student Cross Pilgrimage to Walsingham this Easter. I thought of sharing a little of my experience with you. I set off from Colchester in Essex and after 125 miles which took 10 days, my group reached Walsingham. It was one amazing and spiritual journey. I got to learn more and develop my faith, as well as meet new friends. My worries at the start of the pilgrimage of deciding to go on the pilgrimage alone was unnecessary. My fellow pilgrims were more than friendly and kind to me. I was the only student and at the start, I felt a little out of place. However, that feeling quickly diminish when the socializing began and I got to know each and every one better.

I joined the Essex leg and it consists of 20 people. We made it to Walsingham with us carrying a 7 foot cross. It was one amazing experience. All the parishioners we met on the tea stops along the way, as well as the churches who provided us shelter during the night were brilliant, God bless their kind hearts. God answered all of our prayers, as the weather was nothing but sunshine and wind, which was really good! As oppose to last year, where the group had to experience rain, hail and snow. 2 out of the 10 mornings we had on our journey, we missed the rain by an hour or so. It rained during the night, giving it time to clear up for a bright sunny morning.

Out of the entire journey, Good Friday was my favourite day. It was the day we reached the Slipper Chapel in Houghton St. Giles to meet the 9 other legs (groups) to walk the Holy Mile into Walsingham together in a huge procession. It was the day we met Oxford Leg and Easter Leg on our way to the Slipper Chapel. No doubt, it was the last few miles into Walsingham and the walking would soon be over, but it was the excitement of reaching Walsingham and knowing that I was finally there that excited me. It was so overwhelming to see so many people at the Slipper Chapel, as well as to walk in a long procession into Walsingham. I have never done anything like this before and therefore didn't expect to have such a satisfying and wonderful feeling in my heart! The Good Friday Mass, as well as the Easter Vigil was an experience I will never forget. It was emotional, touching, deep and full of passion. Passion for the love of Christ.

I would definitely recommend this pilgrimage to anyone especially students who might want to experience a different Easter. I'll be on placement in the academic year 2010/2011, but I don't mind being the contact person at Bath and Bath Spa Uni for the Student Cross experience. When Easter comes again next year, I hope to be able to share my experience with fellow students to ignite their interest and perhaps persuade them to join Essex Leg 2010!

Well, that's a little of how I felt about the pilgrimage. I've attached the Essex leg group photo for you to have a look.

Hope you had a good Easter!

God bless,
Lynette Lee
University of Bath