The Guardians' Insignia;
and group photographs
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 College of Guardians 1955
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.
The College of Guardians 2006 © Graham Howard