On Saturday 11 October 2025, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville, hosted its third Marian Procession.
Parishioners and visitors from across Western Sydney gathered at Kellyville for the celebration of the Eucharist, followed by a candlelight rosary procession to the Franciscan Shrine of the Holy Innocents.
The evening marked a continuation of a tradition commenced by the parish’s young people. This year, the procession was a celebration of the Feast Day of the parish’s patroness, which falls on 7 October.
Members of the faithful during the during the Marian procession from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish to the Franciscan Shrine of Holy Innocents, Kellyville. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Young people from across the Diocese, including the neighbouring communities of St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill, and St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens, as well as parishes as far as The Good Shepherd Parish, Plumpton, and St Nicholas of Myra Parish, Penrith, joined volunteers of all ages from the parish, leading the community together for their annual celebration.
Bringing Marian devotion home
Lester Villanueva was one of the parish’s 14 young adult pilgrims at World Youth Day in 2023. This year, he participated as one of the statue bearers for the procession.
Our Lady of the Rosary youth parishioner Lester Villanueva (left) with fellow Diocesan World Youth Day pilgrims as statue-bearers during the evening rosary and candlelight procession at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima in Portugal. Image: Supplied
“I was honoured to carry Our Lady during World Youth Day 2023 in Fátima. Carrying her in my home parish felt deeply personal,” Lester said.
“Surrounded by my own faith community, I truly felt her presence watching over us and interceding for each of our intentions.”
Our Lady of the Rosary youth parishioner Lester Villanueva (left) carries a statue of Our Lady of the Rosary during the Marian procession to the Franciscan Shrine of Holy Innocents, Kellyville. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
United in prayer
Marian devotion finds no barrier in cultural or language differences. The unifying effect of Our Lady profoundly struck the parish’s young adults when travelling through Fátima and Lourdes as part of the WYD pilgrimage. As in previous years, this theme also carried through to Kellyville’s local celebration, which saw parishioners of all ages and stages of life gather together in prayer.
Victoria Saxby, a youth leader at the parish and the Master of Ceremonies for this year’s procession, echoed this sentiment.
“Praying the rosary with members of both the parish and the wider community is such a moving experience. You truly feel the sense of community and belonging, with everyone processing and sharing their faith as one.”
Youth leader and Master of Ceremonies, Victoria Saxby, during the Marian procession from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish to the Franciscan Shrine of Holy Innocents, Kellyville. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Pilgrims of hope
The evening concluded on the steps of the chapel at the Shrine of the Holy Innocents, fittingly under the cover of the sunset. Br Louis Schmidt OFM Conv shared his reflections on the importance of Mary in our faith as Catholics, followed by a blessing and crowning of the statue by Fr Paschal Corby OFM Conv, Shrine Rector.
In this Jubilee Year, it is only fitting that the faithful walk together in prayer. May we continue to find hope in our Blessed Mother, who brings us closer to Jesus and perpetually intercedes for our needs.
Members of the faithful during the during the Marian procession from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish to the Franciscan Shrine of Holy Innocents, Kellyville. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
The Marian procession aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Community and Prayer, and a Church being renewed in spirit and prayer.
View images from the Marian procession on Flickr.
