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.
Rachael Kama is the Senior Facilitator, Parish Engagement Lead for the Diocese of Parramatta and a parishioner of Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair-Erskine Park, shares her reflection.
Leading the Diocese of Parramatta’s HOPE pilgrimage was a deeply spiritual experience, bridging ancient history with the intimate journey of the soul. As we traced the footsteps of St Paul from Greece to Rome, I found myself not merely guiding others, but being gently led by grace, God’s word, and the enduring witness of the early Church.
We set out from Ancient Corinth, a city once torn by conflict and yearning. St Paul remained there for nearly two years, building up a community of believers. Standing at the Rostrum where he proclaimed the Gospel, I felt the weight of his courage, the boldness of truth spoken into chaos. We celebrated Mass among the ruins, surrounded by echoes of his letters and the transformation they inspired. It was a fitting place to begin, a stark reminder that hope often rises from broken ground.
From Corinth, we journeyed from one sacred palace to another. We stood on the Areopagus in Athens, where St Paul spoke of the Unknown God, wandering through the Byzantine beauty of Hosios Loukas and ascended the monastic heights of Meteora. Each place deepened our understanding of St Paul’s mission and the resilience of the early Church. As he wrote to the Romans, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” That same spirit carried us through every step.
Midway through the pilgrimage, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend the 188th Ordinary General Chapter of the Order of St Augustine in Rome. Alongside Luis Arana and Liliana Tapia, we presented on the global movement of Augustinian laity and offered reflections on youth and young adult ministry. Meeting Pope Leo XIV added a layer of grace to the journey. His Angelus message, which we heard together as a pilgrimage group, reminded us, “The Jubilee is not a pause. It is a passage. It is the moment when the Church walks with her people… beside them.”
Rachael Kama with Pope Leo XIV at the 188th General Chapter of the OSA. Image: Supplied
A sacred moment unfolded on the island of Patmos, where we visited the Cave of Revelation. Amid the movement of our journey, God gifted us a rare pause. We sat in silence, listening not to words but to the whisper of the Spirit. Moved by grace, I invited the group to offer prayers aloud. One by one, pilgrims shared quiet yearnings of the heart. We ended with a beautiful Mass outside the cave, wrapped in stillness and the presence of God. That moment still stays with me, like a whispered blessing carried in silence.
Returning to Rome felt like coming home to the heart of the Church. With thousands of other pilgrims from all around the world, we crossed the Holy Doors of St Mary Major, St John Lateran, St Peter’s Basilica, and finally, St Paul Outside the Walls. Each one marked a sacred threshold of grace and renewal.
Few moments matched the quiet power of our sacred journey toward the Holy Door of St Peter’s. Walking together down Via della Conciliazione, whose name means reconciliation, we felt deeply blessed. On this day, I had the privilege of leading the singing of the Litany of the Saints, and our voices became a sacred chant of unity.
The Diocesan pilgrimage group with the pilgrim cross before entering St Peter’s Basilica. Image: Supplied
The contrast between St Peter’s and St Paul’s Basilicas was striking. St Peter’s was alive with thousands of pilgrims, full of movement and devotion. St Paul’s, in contrast, was quiet and nearly empty. As we entered through the Holy Door, it felt as though the entire church had been reserved just for us. That peaceful intimacy was a rare gift in a Jubilee Year, allowing us to end the pilgrimage with the same stillness and grace with which we began. We walked where Paul walked, prayed where he preached, and ended where he rests.
A personal highlight for me was having my mum beside me throughout the journey. Sharing this part of my ministry with her, watching her make lifelong friends, and seeing her joy as she connected with others was deeply moving. It added a layer of meaning to the pilgrimage that I will always treasure.
I was deeply moved with gratitude and hope as our pilgrimage group was transformed. Strangers became companions and God’s Word came alive. The Jubilee theme of hope was not just something we heard, it was something we experienced. Pope Francis said, “Hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts.” That love was evident in every shared prayer, every Holy Door crossed, and every story told. Each day, our pilgrims guided each other through readings, hymns, rosaries, and spontaneous prayers. Fr Joby Ittira (from St Anthony of Padua Parish, Toongabbie) offered gentle spiritual guidance that helped us stay rooted in faith throughout the journey.
I am deeply grateful to my leadership team, Alfie Ramirez, Anita Sulentic, and Fr Joby, for their tireless and wholehearted support. Their presence, wisdom, and quiet strength helped create a space where every pilgrim felt spiritually held and encouraged. Whether guiding prayers, managing logistics, or simply offering a listening ear, their leadership made this journey truly grace-filled.
To anyone considering a pilgrimage, I say go but do so with open hands and a listening heart. Pilgrimage is not a holiday, it is a holy journey. Prepare spiritually and let God surprise you. We began in Corinth, where Paul preached hope into division. We ended at his tomb, where hope lives on. And in between, we walked the Jubilee path, a path of mercy, grace, and transformation.
The Diocesan pilgrimage group inside St Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome. Image: Supplied
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.
