Inspired by Pope Leo’s motto, ‘In the One, we are One,’ over 1300 young people across Western Sydney, the Blue Mountains and beyond participated in Catholic Youth Parramatta (CYP)’s annual Good Friday Night Walk.
Split among two walking paths – the first time since 2019 – young people, students, teachers, families, clergy and religious walked over 23kms from 10pm on Friday evening in Blacktown, arriving in Parramatta at 7am, reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice on Good Friday and celebrating the joy in His Resurrection.
Pilgrims gather at one of the first stops for the GFNW. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
“The Cross is not an easy reality to witness to, but it is a necessary, essential message for our world today,” Fr Andrew Rooney, Assistant Priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral, told the pilgrims.
“And while many write off this generation of youth as the TikTok generation, the selfish generation, the message of the Cross that you witness to today is one of a selfless love, one of a pouring out of your life, one of seeing the bigger picture of reality, of that greatest love that Our Lord told us, is to lay down our life for our friends.”
Local parish, youth movements facilitate reflection
At every stop, the pilgrims heard testimonies from young people who have said “yes” to God in their lives, alongside prayerful music and reenactments of the Stations of the Cross.
“Our young people are giving up their evening to enter into a pilgrimage, and we wanted them to be able to experience the fullness of that,” said CYP Facilitator Sebastian Duhau.
Fr Paul Roberts, Parish Priest of OLQP Greystanes with Sebastian Duhau, CYP Facilitator. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
CYP Manager Eleanor Bonwick added, “we needed double the number of animators this year, which meant we could bring in people beyond our parish communities, including Youth for Christ and Jesus Youth.
“It’s a nice touch to include our wider diocesan community – drawing in more voices and representations of our faith.”
Bradley from St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong, was a member of the Gregorian Chant choir, Occidentus Schola Cantorum, that led the reflections at St Michael’s Church, Blacktown.
“We started the choir about six months ago, and as far as I know, it’s the first time there’s been a Gregorian Chant choir in the Diocese of Parramatta,” he explained. “It was so nice to bring something different to the walk.
“This was my fourth time, and like living water, there’s always something new to witness and experience.”
Pilgrims encouraged to be open to will of God
The theme of this year’s pilgrimage – “Thy Will be Done” – provided an opportunity for pilgrims to reflect on how, despite His challenges, Jesus still said “yes” to what he was undertaking.
“I encourage you tonight to be open to the will of God and be open to the many ways you may encounter Him,” CYP Facilitator Hannah Griffin told the pilgrims.
“Whether you’re here deeply rooted in faith, or if this is your first experience of the Church, God will meet you here.
“Let this not just be something that you attend, let it be a night where you truly walk with Jesus and let Him show you just how much he deeply loves you” she said.
Third-time pilgrim Daniel from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, St Marys, explained that the Good Friday Night Walk is a tangible way of immersing himself in the Paschal mystery.
“Stopping at the churches along the way is not just a milestone, but a place to sit, reflect and continue to pray,” he said.
Pilgrims deep in prayer during one of the stops at the Good Friday Night Walk. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
First-time pilgrim Tessa from Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill, said, “It’s a great opportunity to walk the way of the cross and remember Jesus for a whole night – you don’t think about yourself, but God.
“Making the sacrifice to give up sleep and walking all this way, reminds us that Jesus had it so much harder, but the joy of Easter is so much better for us because of that,” she said.
As he blessed pilgrims ahead of their journey, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, explained that the pilgrimage is an embodiment of our faith in God.
“It’s not about who gets to the destination first, but walking together, caring for each other and enabling each other to get to the destination. It’s the journey that forms and shapes us into who we are meant to be,” Bishop Vincent said.
“As we remember the Way of the Cross that Jesus walked before us, may we persevere in our own path of discipleship, following the One who became a suffering servant, obedient unto death.”
Bishop Vincent with pilgrims at the final stop of the Good Friday Night Walk in St Patrick’s Cathedral. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
GFNW energy experienced in local communities
As the pilgrims returned home for a much-needed sleep, CYP hope the energy, joy and vibrancy experienced on the walk filters back to their school and parish communities.
“Our biggest hope is that these young people experience a faith moment on the walk and that they are able to encounter Jesus – whether that be through the faces of the community around them on the walk, through the animations, the testimonies, the songs,” Eleanor said.
Pilgrims walking the Good Friday Night Walk. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Daniel said, “I hope my youth group, who did the walk for the first time, make pilgrimage, sitting and reflecting on the mysteries of our faith, or pursuing community, a habitual part of their life.”
Brad said, “Good Friday Night Walk isn’t all there is. You can have this community all the time – you just need to open yourself to the opportunity.
“This joy is only a small taste of what could be in their parishes or communities.”
Bishop Vincent with pilgrims at the GFNW. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Over 1300 young people reach Parramatta for the GFNW. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
The Good Friday Night Walk aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Prayer, Community, Mission and a Church that its aim to be a Church that is Inclusive and Welcoming and Renewed in Spirit and Prayer. Visit Synodality to learn more.
