At first, the Sisters lived in part of the old Hospice, named 'Stella Maris', their strenuous work in the Shrine and village bringing them the love and esteem of both pilgrims and parishioners. Above all, they brought with them to Walsingham the common life and ethos of the Community. It was in 1955, the centenary year of the Society, that the Branch House became an Autonomous House, with its own Mother, thus enabling them to receive and train their own novices. It was a most appropriate 'hundredth birthday gift' that the Society should be planting a new House in England’s Nazareth, where the truth of the Incarnation is proclaimed in a special way. The Bishop of Norwich came on May 10th to inaugurate the independent Priory and to install Sister Margaret Mary as their first Superior. In June 1955 a start was made on the new buildings, and in the following January, work began on the convent chapel. This was dedicated on February 9th 1957.

Over the years the Sisters have cared for pilgrim, villager and visitor alike, in many varied ways. In earlier times, they looked after the Hospice, made the bookings, coped with the Shrine finances, cooked the meals, ran the sacristy – as well as helping out wherever they could in the parish. As the years went by, and the number of pilgrims and buildings increased, they handed over most of these works to lay people. They continue to work in the Sacristy on Saturdays, help in the busy Education Department, are round and about the grounds and buildings whenever possible in a pastoral capacity - as well as many other tasks outside Walsingham itself, which include Quiet Days, preaching, conferences, spiritual direction etc. Nor must it ever be forgotten that the priority of the traditional 'monastic' life goes on day-by-day within the convent itself, with all the normal duties of the household to be covered.

The Sisters welcome a small number of guests and retreatants in S Margaret’s Cottage, which has three twin bedded rooms upstairs, as well as a single, ensuite bed-sit on the ground floor, suitable for anyone unable to manage stairs. The cottage is self catering and is available throughout the year for a holiday or quiet time. Religious, and women seeking a quiet time in retreat, may stay in the Convent if they prefer to do so.

In July 1984, Mother Julian resigned on account of ill health. The little Community of eight Sisters eventually decided that the best way forward was to ask the Chapter of St Saviour's Priory to receive the Walsingham House back as a Branch House for the next three years, and to go from there. In February 1985, two Sisters from London went up to Walsingham to help out, exchanging with others from time to time. In February 1988 this arrangement became more permanent - or so it seemed at the time!

Having retired as Mother in London in January 1992, Sister Mary Teresa went to Walsingham to take charge as Sister Superior in March 1993. Sister Christina Mary and Sister Phyllis joined her during the following two months. Changes began to take place in both Houses in various ways, with the Walsingham Sisters wishing to retain the more 'monastic', traditional, way of living the Religious Life, whereas their Sisters in London were experimenting with new ways of expressing that life. Added to this, the Sisters in London were content with the Ordination of women, but those in Walsingham were not happy with it. With all this in mind, it was eventually decided in both Houses that Walsingham should once more revert to being an autonomous House of the Society. This took place in January 1994, with Sister Mary Teresa being installed as Mother. The Walsingham Sisters were well aware that they were taking a great risk, as their numbers were small and the Sisters not in their first youth!! They were, however, convinced that it was the right move to make - and it certainly left both Houses free to go the way in which each felt called by God. Vocations began to trickle in very slowly, some coming for a time and then leaving, after having discerned that it was not for them after all. Each brought something to the Community, and hopefully took something away with them.

When the three Sisters came up from London in the Spring of 1993, there were eight of the original 'Walsingham' Sisters in the Community here. Later on, two Sisters transferred from East Grinstead, also two from other Communities and two of the novices were professed. When the Convent in Aberdeen closed, on the death of Mother Verity in 2002, Sister Columba and Sister Mary Joan were transferred to the Walsingham Chapter, and the convent in Aberdeen was finally closed. Sister Columba remained in Aberdeen, moving to a small flat where she continues to live the Religious Life as a Sister of St Margaret and is a member of the Chaplaincy team in two hospitals.

Over the ensuing years, the Priory and its Chapel have been restored and modernised at great cost. The Sisters had no idea at the time what this would involve, but were well aware that much restoration was essential if they were to remain. It was soon discovered that immense work was needed on the foundations, owing to subsidence, poor drainage and insufficient depth of foundations. With no money, apart from what was needed for daily living expenses, the Sisters had to set about raising all that was needed - and achieved this at a final cost of something in the region of £750,000.The House and Chapel have now been restored, St Margaret’s Cottage, the new Guest House, is up and running and finally a Conservatory has been built for the use of groups etc. This brought to an end all the massive building works, with no debts incurred.

The Sisters sing the fourfold Office, have a daily Mass in the chapel, but attend the Shrine or one of the local parishes on Sundays. Each has one and a half hour's prayer a day, a monthly day in retreat and an annual long retreat from 5-8 days. They now have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel every day from 10:30 - 12:30, apart from Sunday and Thursday. It is a great joy to have local Associates and friends, pilgrims and visitors now taking part in this. The Sisters have four weeks holiday each year and usually a free afternoon and evening every week, one of these being a day in a silent retreat. The postulancy is normally for 6 months, followed by 2-3 years in the Noviciate and then Annual Vows for at least three years before final Profession. Each House in the Community is free to decide whether to wear secular clothing, the Sisters here in Walsingham having chosen to retain the habit.

In January 2006 Mother Mary Teresa informed the Chapter that she felt it was the right time for her to retire as Mother and did not wish to stand for election again. The lot fell on Sister Mary Clare, who was installed on April 18th 2006. She appointed Sister Mary Teresa as the Novice Guardian.

Due to memory loss and increasing confusion, Sister Mary Joan, aged 90, was admitted to Dorrington House, a new Residential Home in Wells-next-the-Sea, in November 2008. She had reached the stage when she needed 24 hour care, and has settled very happily. It is a beautiful purpose-built house, and the Staff are very caring.

The year 2009 will be the beginning of a new era and should prove to be an exciting new beginning and challenge. After Easter 2008, the Sisters were given a sabbatical of three months from the Shrine Sacristy work, to enable them to have some space and time to discern their way forward in their ministry in the Shrine. This year they will only be working in the Shrine sacristy on Saturdays and on the major festivals. The opening of the Welcome Centre has already provided another outlet, and the arrival of Bishop Lindsay as the new Administrator has brought further changes with the Sisters leading the Sprinkling and helping in the Laying on of hands and other pastoral duties.

In the spring of 2009 Mother Mary Clare completed her three year term as Mother and Sister Carolyne Joseph was elected Mother. Sister Mary Clare went off for a 6 month Sabbatical, making the Uckfield House her base, towards the end of which she asked for 6 months to test her vocation to the Uckfield House, as she felt more at home there than in Walsingham. The Chapter at Walsingham granted her leave to do this and this began on October 17th. With Sister Columba in Aberdeen, Sister Mary Joan in Wells, and now Sister Mary Clare in Uckfield, the number of professed sisters in the Priory numbers 9. There are, however, several young women making enquiries, so we watch and pray that we may be blessed with much needed new life.
[updated November 2009]