St Winefrides Catholic National Shrine

19/08/2025

The Shrine of St Winefride will be illuminated in the evenings until the end of our Pilgrimmage season until the last Sunday of September.

17/08/2025

Statement from the Rt Rev Peter M Brignall, Bishop
of Wrexham

Bishop Peter was saddened to learn of the incident at the Shrine and Well of S. Winefride yesterday which breached the peace, sanctity and prayer of this holy place.
He wishes to re-assure visitors and pilgrims that this was a most unusual occurrence and that the Diocese and the Shrine staff strive to ensure at all times the safety and prayerful atmosphere of the Shrine.
For nearly fourteen hundred years people of all cultures and creeds have been welcomed to S.Winefride’s Well to experience the peace, healing and holiness witnessed in her life.
That welcome remains for all who come in devotion or curiosity, those troubled or serene, those who come seeking help or in thanksgiving for blessings received.

21/05/2025

Annual National Pilgrimage to St Winefride’s Shrine

On Sunday 22nd June, Bishop Peter will lead the Annual National Pilgrimage to St Winefrides Catholic National Shrine
The Procession will commence at 2.30pm from the Church of St Winefride, followed by Holy Mass in the Shrine Grounds at 3.00pm.
The Celebrant and Preacher will be The Right Reverend Peter M. Brignall, Bishop of Wrexham.

Bishop Peter extends a warm invitation to all parishioners from across the diocese and beyond to join in this special occasion.

Diocesan Pilgrimage St Winefrides Well

20/05/2025

Today is a day of prayer for victims of abuse.

In June 2023 Bishop Peter inaugurated St. Winefride’s Shrine and Well as a place of prayer and healing for the victims of sexual harassment, abuse and violence, drawing on the story of Winefride, who was a teenage victim of sexual harassment and violence and who found healing and new life in the actions of her uncle, the priest Beuno.

The Shrine is offered as a place of healing, hope, peace and forgiveness for all those whose lives are blighted by the outrage of sexual attack of any kind.

The Shrine is open throughout the day (10.00a.m. to 4.00p.m.) and there will be short services at 12 noon and again at 3 o’clock to pray with and for those whose lives have been affected in any way by sexual abuse.

24 Hours For the Lord 2023

21/04/2025

Statement from Bishop Peter on the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

It was with great sorrow but in the faith of Easter Joy, that I learned this morning of the Holy Father's death, and commend him in prayer to the loving embrace of his Saviour and master, the Risen Lord Jesus, that aided by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, but especially his predecessors, and through the merits of the good he has done and the sufferings he has endured, he may be carried in the arms of the Good Shepherd to the glories of the heavenly Kingdom.

In adding our humble prayers for the repose of his soul we give thanks too for the leadership he has given to the Church and the example given to the world through his faith, compassion, mercy and tireless work for peace and reconciliation between nations, peoples and religions. and the patient endurance demonstrated in his recent illness and suffering.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in peace.

Amen

​† Peter M. Brignall

Bishop of Wrexham

20/04/2025

Bishop Peter's Easter Message 2025

27/02/2025

Ash Wednesday is fast approaching on Wednesday 5th March, and is the first day of Lent in the Catholic Church marking the beginning of a season of repentance, fasting, and prayer.

Lent lasts for 40 days (excluding Sundays), and its primary focus is on penance and spiritual preparation for the resurrection of Jesus at Easter.

On Ash Wednesday, Catholics attend Mass where the foreheads of the faithful are marked with ashes made from the palms of the previous year’s Palm Sunday, symbolizing repentance and mortality. The words used during ashing are usually, -

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" or "Repent, and believe in the Gospel,"

These words act as a reminder of the need for humility, conversion, and a focus on spiritual growth.

The ashes also signify a call to turn away from sin, reflect on one's relationship with God, and prepare for the solemnity of Good Friday and the joy of Easter.

Ash Wednesday is a day for us all as Catholics to reflect on our lives and renew out commitment to faith through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

If you have palms in your home from last Palm
Sunday, - this Sunday is the ideal time to take them back to your parish church, so that they can be burnt and re used for ash Wednesday.

25/02/2025

Statement from Bishop Peter:

Pope Francis is held in the prayers of the people of the Diocese of Wrexham, that in his sickness he may know comfort, strength and peace.
We commend him to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of the Divine Physician and also to S. Winefride of Holywell at whose intercession great healing has been brought.

+ Peter M. Brignall
Bishop of Wrexham

Photo credit: Mazur/cbcew.org.uk

06/08/2024

The Diocese of Wrexham is pleased to extend its heartfelt congratulations to Baroness Eluned Morgan on her appointment as the new First Minister of Wales.
On behalf of the Catholic community of North Wales, I offer prayer and support to the new First Minister and the Welsh Government as a whole, as they take on the important task of governing our country for the good of all, and working for a greater justice, peace and understanding among the peoples of all nations.
+Peter
Bishop of Wrexham

01/07/2024

St Winefride’s Shrine will be closed on Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th July - due to onsite maintenance work.
We will be open as usual on Friday 5th July.
We apologise for any inconvenience!