Thirty two young people from Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains have been commissioned to be signs of joy, courage and peace ahead of their international pilgrimage as part of the Jubilee year.
The mix of parishioners, youth leaders and teachers from the Diocese of Parramatta were blessed by Vicar General Fr Fernando Montano EV as well as pilgrim chaplain Fr Jack Elkazzi, Administrator of St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Springwood, during Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on Sunday 6 July, surrounded by family, friends and parish supporters.
The pilgrims will be travelling to Greece to follow in the footsteps of St Paul, before travelling onwards to Rome to participate in the Jubilee celebrations with Pope Leo XIV.
Commitment to sacred journey
As part of their commissioning, the young people were encouraged by Fr Fernando to make the commitments they made during Mass a part of their daily experience on pilgrimage.
“Will you open your hearts to the voice of the Holy Spirit?” Fr Fernando asked, to which the pilgrims replied, “we will.”
Diocesan pilgrims during the Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage commissioning Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, in July 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
“Will you strive to walk together in faith, hope and love as companions in Christ?
“Will you go as pilgrims of hope, dedicating your journey to deepening you love for Christ and His Church and returning home ready to share what you have received?”
Fr Fernando asked God that the pilgrims make their journey with open hearts and experience deep encounters with each other and with Christ, before gifting them a small Jubilee medal – a physical reminder of their purpose abroad.
The Jubilee medallions presented to Diocesan pilgrims during the Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage commissioning Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, in July 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Remembering Christ’s mission on the journey
Referencing the Sunday Gospel from Luke about the Lord sending out the 72 disciples without a purse or sandals on their feet, Fr Fernando said it was a fitting reading for the commissioning Mass, as the pilgrims themselves were being sent on a unique journey.
“In this part of the Gospel of Luke, he outlines the journey of Christ to Jerusalem, and it not only is an invitation for our pilgrims, but for all of us in our everyday life,” Fr Fernando explained.
“These disciples are going out to recreate in themselves the life of Jesus. We are all sent out by Christ – Jesus is sent out by The Father, and He sends us out.”
Fr Fernando then gave the pilgrims three lessons from the Gospel to take with them on pilgrimage.
Lesson 1: Teamwork
“Jesus teaches us about the importance of teamwork. The disciples go out in pairs, which highlights the importance of fellowship and mutual support.
“Teamwork is crucial in the work of evangelisation, reflecting a core principle of Christian ministry, where diversity of gifts and talents are needed to effectively share the Gospel.
Vicar General Fr Fernando Montano EV delivers the homily during the Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage commissioning Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, in July 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Lesson 2: Simplicity
Fr Fernando explained how Jesus teaches us about “travelling light”, encouraging believers to prioritise their ministry over material possessions and distractions.
“The Gospel invitation to travel light will allow for greater emphasis on the core message of the Gospel – love, grace, forgiveness and reconciliation.”
Fr Fernando added this can mean leaving behind emotional baggage we carry, such as unhealthy attitudes and habits, misplaced priorities and unrealistic expectations – which makes the joyful sharing of the Good News an almost impossible task.
Lesson 3: Self-reflection
According to Fr Fernando, Jesus teaches us the reality of both acceptance and rejection.
“The believers are not to see themselves as guests, but as servants, as disciples. We follow Christ and are attentive to the needs of all who seek healing and love, peace and the Good News of salvation.
“Rejection forces us to stop the pursuit of fame and success and reflect on it,” he added.
“This reflection leads us every time to remembering that we are just working for the mission of Christ, who was both accepted and rejected.”
Stronger in faith
For pilgrims Theresa Samson and Camelia Saab, the prospect of strengthening their faith was a key factor in their decision to journey to Greece and Rome.
Diocesan pilgrims Camelia Saab (left) and Theresa Samson following the Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage commissioning Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, in July 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Theresa, a Religious Education teacher from Bede Polding College in South Windsor, said she teaches her students about St Paul, so was excited to follow in his footsteps, see where he preached and bring that experience back to her students.
“I’m hoping that through my experience on pilgrimage, not only will my faith be strengthened, but I’m able to use that as an opportunity to strengthen the faith of my students,” she said.
“Through activities such as youth group, or even just teaching in a religion lesson, I can use the pilgrimage as inspiration and influence on those students who might not have a relationship with Christ… or help them get closer to Christ.”
Camelia, a teacher from St Luke’s Catholic College, Marsden Park, added, “I’m looking forward to building a bond with other that share my faith – building friendships and new long-life friends and family…” she said.
“I hope that through my evangelisation, I can nourish the faith in them from a young age so that it will flourish and strengthen as they get older.”
Before Mass, the pilgrims gathered in the Cathedral Hall for their final information session before departure. They discussed last-minute information about their travel, collected their merchandise and pilgrim packs, and wrote a letter to their future selves, which will be opened after the pilgrimage.
Diocesan pilgrims wearing merchandise ahead of the Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage commissioning Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, in July 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Eleanor Bonwick, one of the leaders of the pilgrimage and a Facilitator for Catholic Youth Parramatta, expressed hope that the pilgrims will return with a renewed desire to serve their local communities.
“Joining in with the Universal Church is always an uplifting and encouraging experience that often draws young pilgrims into a deeper love for the Church,” she said.
“Some pilgrims may return inspired to start new ministries, renew their current commitments, join a particular vocation or take a leap of faith in a new initiative.
“We are certain the impact will bear much fruit.”
Diocesan pilgrims during the Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage commissioning Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, in July 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
The Jubilee of Youth Pilgrimage aligns with the priorities of Mission and Formation in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
For those who cannot make the pilgrimage, but wish to celebrate the Jubilee of Youth, the Diocese of Parramatta will be hosting Rome from Home – a local celebration on Saturday 2 August at St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong. Check out parracatholic.org/events for more information and to register.
Follow along with the pilgrimage via Catholic Youth Parramatta’s Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as in Catholic Outlook.
View photos of the commissioning Mass and pilgrim preparations on Flickr.
