Armitage told CNA in June that, despite being forced to close to the public because of the pandemic, Walsingham flourished during the lockdown thanks to its 24-hour devotional livestream.
"We've probably had the biggest pilgrimage season so far in the history of Walsingham because we've had thousands upon thousands of people every day joining us for our program," he said.
At a farewell Mass at the national shrine Sept. 4, Bishop Alan Hopes of East Anglia praised Armitage's achievements.
He said: "You have used modern technology to the full to promote the shrine -- EWTN has arrived in the village. And you set up a permanent livestreaming of the Mass and other celebrations which are enjoyed across the country and the world. The shrine was a huge blessing for so many thousands of people during the recent lockdown, connecting them to their faith. And there is so much more."
"But by far your greatest undertaking has been the promotion of Our Lady's Shrine and the Message of Walsingham. Here you have presided over the increasing popularity of the shrine with a huge growth in the number of pilgrims."
Armitage's successor at Walsingham, Mgsr. Philip Moger, will be formally inducted as rector Sept. 24.
In his homily at Westminster Cathedral, Armitage said: "Each moment in history demands great sacrifices, acts of love and kindness, acts of graciousness and radical generosity to address the darkness that so besets our world."
"The challenge of renewal within the Church is not about administration, it is about a renewal of the personal and generous response in the lives of its members to say 'yes' as Mary said 'yes.'"