Sharing the gospel since 1987. Here’s what God has been doing since then and where we feel He is calling us to go.
In 1897, Pope St Leo XIII prophesied that, “When England returns to Walsingham, Mary will return to England”.
We believe that renewal of the Catholic faith in these lands begins with worship of the Trinity, through devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham.
Through our annual pilgrimage and local initiatives, we unite people to share in the beauty of the Catholic faith through prayer and fellowship, growing through formation and accompaniment.
We want to see a new dawn in the Church in our country, through thousands of the faithful journeying to Walsingham.
This is the mandate that Myles Dempsey, our founder, gave to his successor Gary Stephens, before his passing.
“Go into the attic and bring out the treasures of the Church that have been long since forgotten” so that “the beauty of the Church [may] be seen in all Her splendour; the Church with all its lights on and all its aspects celebrated – the Charismatic, the Liturgical, the Marian, the Eucharistic, the Sacramental, the Mystical – and for the whole family to be there.”
At New Dawn, we want to show the Church “in all Her splendour”, with all the lights on. This is what we hope every person who comes to New Dawn experiences so that they can discover and fall in love with Jesus in His Church.
The Community of Christ Prince of Peace was founded in 1985 by Myles and Joan Dempsey in south-east London.
On the 26th of August 1985, Myles attended the Lion of Judah Catholic Charismatic Conference in Ars, France, and was deeply moved by the crowd’s fervour. Whilst standing at the famous statue of the Cure d’Ars, Myles said to the Lord, “This is France, what about England?” Immediately he received the words, ‘New Dawn, Walsingham.’
Two years later, in 1987, New Dawn was born. Myles and Joan held the first pilgrimage in the fields of Walsingham with over 800 participants. Since then, New Dawn has taken place every year, attracting pilgrims from across the UK and the world.
Since 1985, the Community has resided in different religious premises, eventually making its way up north to St Emilies Convent in Old Swan Liverpool.
Before his passing on 12th June 2018, Myles appointed Gary Stephens his successor as Leader of the Community and Chairman of New Dawn Walsingham.
Having naturally evolved to a non-residential model, the Community is now made up of over 150 volunteers from across the UK who prepare and deliver New Dawn Walsingham each year.
Each year, Myles Dempsey, our founder, received a prophetic word for the year ahead. This tradition and charism has continued with his successor Gary Stephens.
‘As a father disciplines his children, so too in this year the Father will discipline those He loves (cf. Hebrews 12:5-7; 11-13). Furthermore, the light of Christ will shine upon certain individuals and they will know that the Lord is gazing upon them! However, be aware the enemy, the devil seeks to destroy those children whom God loves. Pray continually for discernment, wisdom and protection. Stay close to Mary, Our Blessed Mother.’
Gary Stephens, Leader of the Prince of Peace Community Chairman of New Dawn Walsingham
An unexpected number of people will return to the Catholic Church this year. The Faithful are being called to welcome and lead by example those returning.
People will not be able to receive the Sacraments. Through prayerful perseverance, (St. Monica, Ephesians 6:18) the Faithful are to offer God their ‘barrenness’ and nothingness which will be gathered by the Angels and rise like incense as a fragrant offering to God’s presence. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1368; Romans 12:1-2, Psalm 141:2).
The word ‘fertility’ was received, thus from His abundance and generosity, Our Loving Father wants to give ‘New Life’ (John 10:10) which He will protect (Exodus 14:14) when treasured and pondered ‘silently’ in the heart (Luke 2:19).
Finally, for families, listen to each other in your struggles so as to build one another up in love (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and strengthen unity (Psalm 133).
Gary Stephens, Leader of the Prince of Peace Community, Chairman of New Dawn Walsingham
‘Isaiah Chapter 5: The Song of the Unfruitful Vineyard; Social Injustice Denounced and Foreign Invasion Predicted.
I heard a long whistle blowing. A period of chastisement is coming upon the world (Isaiah 5:26). I saw a martyr’s crown for Israel/the Church. I saw a regular Churchgoer lose their usual seat. Ministries and positions will be removed from those in the Church who have taken their roles for granted; ‘New wine into new wineskins’ (Mark 2:22).
I saw an image of the Crucified Christ with fog gathering and obscuring the Holy Face. A short time afterwards the fog dissipated. The Lord’s Face will be hidden for a time. We must cry out: ‘Restore us, O God of hosts; let Your face shine, that we may be saved’ (Psalm 80:7).
I saw a woman who was just about to open a window but the handle was very dirty. I cleaned the handle and opened the window for her. A year of repentance and blessing. The Lord will bless His Church through Mary, Mother of God and uncover His face: ‘Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and thus put Me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing’ (Malachi 3:10; Numbers 6:24-26).
There will be some who present serious obstacles to this blessing. I saw a Ciborium, full of grey cardboard “hosts” with a single hole through the middle of each “host”. The Ciborium was then tipped over and the “hosts” fell to the ground. Be wise, faithful, courageous, and zealous in defending the Liturgy of Holy Mass (Sacred Scripture and the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist).’
Gary Stephens, Leader of the Prince of Peace Community, Chairman of New Dawn Walsingham
‘A year of new sight, readiness, courage, and defence of the truth.
A year of new sight and deeper perception: On the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, I could see an elderly man kneeling waiting for Holy Mass to begin. He was looking intently at a pair of glasses which he was holding and fidgeting in his hands. Turn to Mary without hesitation! The Father is calling His sons and daughters to look intently towards Christ through Mary, who will magnify our perception/vision of God so that we experience Christ’s Love and Mercy in a new and profound way (Luke 1:46-47, Ephesians 1:18).
An explosion of mental illness in families and society: I heard a knock at the door late at night. In front of me I saw a tough young man displaying obvious signs of extreme paranoia and mental illness. I felt apprehension. The man was very agitated and throwing his arms in the air. He looked at me and said “I need your help!” I replied, “You need to give your life to Jesus…” to which he responded: “What does that mean? I don’t know what that means!” He then walked away helplessly lost. Guided by the Holy Spirit, wisdom, prudence and experience, the Church and individual members within the Church, need to be ready to help those who will come desperately looking for help. Courageous men and women, are being called by the Father to rise up in leading the broken-hearted to Jesus Christ, who came “to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” (Isaiah 61:1)
Defend the Profession of Faith: In prayer, I saw a priest and congregation making the Profession of Faith during Holy Mass. Then with a loud voice, one of the parishioners mixed up the words causing great confusion for the priest and majority of the congregation who fell silent in response. To my great surprise, the priest walked away without correcting the error of the congregation. ‘He who shouts the loudest wins!’ Confusion will arise through attempts to change the Faith of the Catholic Church. Pay close attention and prayerfully meditate on the Ancient Truths contained within the Creed. Do not fall silent nor be afraid to “shout from the housetops” (Matthew 10:27) in defence of the true teachings of the Catholic Church. Appointed “for the defence of the Gospel,” (Philippians 1:16) Bishops and priests must lead in this defence.’
Gary Stephens, Leader of the Prince of Peace Community, Chairman of New Dawn Walsingham
'A year of filial intimacy. Reach out to priests. Behold your mother.'
Gary Stephens, Leader of the Prince of Peace Community, Chairman of New Dawn Walsingham
Awake, o sleeper, and arise from the dead. Now is the eleventh hour. Renounce your own understanding. Rather, lean on Christ Jesus, Who is your rock and refuge. Pray that the eyes of your heart may be opened through the help of the Holy Spirit, so that, walking by faith, your focus may be on the horizon of the heavenly kingdom. Aim to please Christ, so that your life may glorify the Father. Have recourse to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who alone has from God the promise of victory over Satan.
(Ephesians 5:14, Matthew 20:6, Proverbs 3:5, Ephesians 1:18, 2 Corinthians 5:7, 9, Luke 18:43 and St Maximilian Kolbe)
Gary Stephens, Leader of the Prince of Peace Community, CEO of New Dawn Walsingham
New Dawn is blessed by Pope Francis and endorsed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales. It is attended by up to 2,000 participants and streamed to over 200,000 viewers worldwide.
As well as taking place in Walsingham, New Dawn has also spread to several countries including Scotland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Portugal, Zambia, and Uganda each with their own team.
