 The Guardians of the Shrine were formed as a College in 1931 but their
distinctive insignia only gradually evolved.
The
Master's silver gilt chain (seen on the left) was presented by Fr Fynes-Clinton
in 1933. The next item to be acquired was the blue mantle, the design
based on that of a Fraternity in Bruges. They were not worn until 7 November
1938, the day of the first installation of Guardians. This is why in pictures
of the great procession on 6 June earlier that year for the opening of
the new Shrine Church the lay Guardians are seen walking in everyday suits.
The
stars were struck in 1947. These are in silver gilt for full Guardians
and gilt for the Honorary and Emeritus.
The
arms of the College are in the centre and the star is worn on a black
and white ribbon. On less formal occasions, when mantles are not worn,
the star is still worn over ordinary priest or lay clothes, at Walsingham
and at any functions connected with the Shrine.
The
inscription on the star reads:
CUSTOS
S DOMUS D N DE WALSINGHAM
CUSTOS
S[ANCTAE] DOMUS D[OMINAE] N[OSTRAE] DE WALSINGHAM
|
or for Honorary Guardians: |
|
CUSTOS
HON S DOMUS D N DE WALSINGHAM
CUSTOS
HON[ORARIUS/ORARIA] S[ANCTAE] DOMUS D[OMINAE] N[OSTRAE] DE WALSINGHAM
|
At
some time in the past one batch of new medals was incorrectly struck,
and a few of the full Guardians' silver stars have the HON in their wording.
Below:
Three group photographs have been taken,
fifty-one years apart - 1955 and 2006, and in 2011. |
