St Mary’s Catholic Parish Ipswich

07/06/2026

Today we gathered not just for Mass, but to process and bless our community with The Body and Blood of Christ.

Happy Feast of The Body and Blood of Christ.

30/05/2026

THE MOST HOLY TRINITY and CORPUS CHRISTI SOLEMNITY

29/05/2026

There’ll be plenty of food stalls so bring some money to get you Filipino lunch!

16/05/2026

7th Sunday of Easter and Pentecost Sunday Solemnity

08/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GCjVQg8w3/

The Feast of Our Lady of Graces (Madonna delle Grazie) in Nettuno, Italy, celebrated in early May, honours the town’s patroness. It marks the beginning of a week of celebrations in which the entire town takes part.

Various performances recount the remarkable story of how Nettuno came to possess a wooden statue believed to have arrived from England in 1550, during the height of the Protestant Reformation.

There is every reason to believe that the statue originated in Ipswich, England, where there once stood a great shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Grace.

Courageous Catholics are believed to have saved the statue from destruction during the English Reformation and smuggled it out of the country. According to tradition, the statue arrived in Nettuno in 1550 aboard a ship forced ashore by a violent storm.

To this day, Our Lady of Graces is venerated in Nettuno as “the English Lady.” Inscribed on the back of the statue, in ancient English, are the words: “Thou art gracious.”

Modern carbon dating suggests that the statue dates between 1280 and 1420. Analysis of the wood also revealed a high salt content, indicating a long sea voyage.

It is remarkable to think that Our Lady of Graces of Ipswich has now spent more time in Nettuno than she ever did in England — approximately 386 years in Ipswich and 476 years in Nettuno.

And one cannot help but wonder: where was she hidden during the 12 years between 1538 and 1550?

Our Lady of Graces of Nettuno and Ipswich, pray for us 🙏

04/05/2026

We prayed for you at Walsingham during the Diocesan Jubilee Pilgrimage to Walsingham!

04/05/2026

5th Sunday of Easter and 6th Sunday of Easter

02/04/2026

Triduum Mass and celebration times

29/03/2026

‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’

Today begins the passion journey of Christ.
Have a meaningful Holy Week.

Please check the newsletter for Masses and Services.

22/03/2026

That’s a good reminder!