From 7–25 September 2025, 21 pilgrims from around Australia journeyed in the footsteps of St Paul through Greece, Türkiye and Rome for the Jubilee Year of Hope.
Organised by the Diocese of Parramatta and led by Rachael Kama from the Diocese’s Pastoral Plan team, the pilgrims from Sydney, Bathurst and Melbourne experienced the life of the early Church – through St Paul and his companions’ lives who unwaveringly spread God’s word to Jews and Gentiles alike in an extremely challenging time when Christianity was outlawed.
Denise and Patrick Carroll, parishioners of Holy Family Parish, Mt Druitt, share their reflections.
When we set out on our pilgrimage, we carried a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. We knew it would be more than a holiday, but we were unsure how it might change us. Our hope was to walk in the footsteps of St Paul, to see the places where he preached and lived, and to experience the Scriptures in a new way by being present in the very landscapes where the early Church took shape. We also expected moments of prayer and reflection that would deepen our faith. What we did not anticipate was just how powerful and transformative the journey would become.
Pilgrims Patrick (left) and Denise Carroll from Holy Family Parish Emerton with Bishop Vincent. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta
From the very first day in Athens, the experience began to surpass our expectations. Celebrating Mass with our small group in ruins, chapels, monasteries, and catacombs gave us a profound sense of the universality of our faith. Standing on the Areopagus, where Paul preached to the Athenians about the “unknown God,” brought the Scriptures alive in a way that was both real and humbling. What had once seemed like distant history became a living, breathing encounter with faith.
The highlights were many and varied. Meteora, with its monasteries perched high upon stone pillars, left us in awe at the blend of natural beauty and human devotion. In Türkiye, the House of the Virgin Mary was one of the most moving places of all. There we prayed for our children and grandchildren, entrusting them to the care of Mary in the very home believed to be her final dwelling. Rome brought its own treasures. Walking through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica during the Jubilee Year was an unforgettable moment of grace, a visible sign of God’s mercy that touched us deeply. The Scala Sancta, which we ascended on our knees, was another powerful reminder of Christ’s passion and sacrifice. And the opportunity to celebrate Mass near the tomb of Pope Francis during this Jubilee of Hope was a privilege we will carry with us forever.
Pilgrims Denise (right) and Patrick Carroll during Mass at Domus Australia during the Diocesan pilgrimage in Rome. Image: Supplied
There were also smaller moments that surprised us. Sharing figs for the first time, enjoying authentic Turkish meals, or being welcomed into quiet village chapels reminded us that God’s grace is present not only in grand basilicas but also in simple, everyday encounters. We were struck by the resilience of faith in places that had endured persecution, earthquakes, or centuries of change. Time and again, we were reminded that Christianity has always thrived on courage, perseverance, and hope.
Pilgrim Denise Carroll speaking with a tour guide during the Diocesan pilgrimage in Türkiye. Image: Supplied
Undertaking this pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year made it all the more special. The Jubilee of Hope was not just a theme but something we lived out as we crossed Holy Doors, joined pilgrims from all over the world in prayer, and reflected on God’s mercy. The sense of belonging to something much larger than ourselves, a universal Church alive and diverse, was both humbling and uplifting.
If we were to offer advice to others considering a pilgrimage, it would be this: go with an open heart and allow yourself to be changed. Pilgrimage is not always easy. There are long walks, steep climbs, and busy days. But there is also joy beyond measure. Take time to reflect, to pray, and to journal so that the spiritual treasures of the journey remain with you. Travel lightly, both in luggage and in expectations, and let God surprise you in unexpected ways.
Pilgrim Patrick Carroll praying at the Holy Doors at St Paul’s Outside the Walls during the Diocesan Jubilee pilgrimage in Rome. Image: Supplied
Looking back, this pilgrimage is now a cornerstone in our faith journey. It was not simply about visiting holy places but about encountering Christ in new and living ways. Each Mass, each Scripture passage heard in its original setting, and each prayer offered with fellow pilgrims deepened our love for God and our sense of belonging to the Church. For us, pilgrimage is more than a single event. It is a reminder that our entire faith journey is itself a pilgrimage, one that leads us ever closer to God.
Denise (second right) and Patrick Carroll with fellow Diocesan pilgrims outside St Peter’s Basilica. Image: Supplied
Finally, we would like to acknowledge the support of our Parish, Holy Family, Emerton. Knowing that we carried the love of our faith community with us gave the pilgrimage an even greater sense of purpose, and we remembered you in prayer at many holy sites.
To our employer, Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese and the Mission Enhancement Team (MET), for their generous support in making this experience possible: your belief in the importance of faith formation and pilgrimage has given us a gift that we will treasure forever.
The Diocesan Jubilee pilgrimage aligns with the priorities of Mission and Formation in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
Reflections from other pilgrims on the Jubilee pilgrimage will be published on Catholic Outlook over the coming days.
