Around 20 adults from across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains have been blessed and commissioned by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, ahead of their overseas pilgrimage as part of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
The pilgrims were commissioned alongside pilgrimage chaplain and parish priest Fr Joby Ittira MS during Mass at St Anthony of Padua Parish, Toongabbie, on Sunday 31 August.
The group will travel throughout Türkiye and Greece, exploring the locations and communities of St Paul and the early Church, before joining in the Jubilee celebrations in Rome.
Pilgrimage to strengthen discipleship
Bishop Vincent prayed that the pilgrims be “ambassadors of God’s love, mercy and compassion”.
“Jubilee, in the biblical tradition, is about a reset in favour of freedom, equity, regeneration and alignment with God’s plan,” Bishop Vincent said during his homily.
Bishop Vincent speaks during the commissioning Mass. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta
“Jubilee obliges us to work for a just and viable society for all, including God’s creation.
“May the pilgrimage be a graced time of renewal, revitalisation and strengthening of their sense of discipleship and mission.
“Let this Jubilee year be an opportunity for all of us, even those who are not able to travel overseas, to reset and realign the direction of our lives.”
Christ the companion on the journey
At the conclusion of Mass, Bishop Vincent blessed the pilgrims and hoped that the “experience of a lifetime” will be spiritually fulfilling.
“Transform these pilgrims before us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel, so that these seeds may transform them, transform humanity and the whole cosmos.
Bishop Vincent blessing and commissioning the Diocesan pilgrims. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta
“Remain with these, Your servants, on this holy pilgrimage, and guide their way in accordance with Your Will.
“Shelter them with your protection by day, give them the light and Your grace by night, and as their companion on the journey, bring them to their destination and their home in safety.”
Celebrating marital bonds on pilgrimage
For some members of the diocesan pilgrimage, it will be an opportunity to celebrate and honour the role faith plays in their marriage.
Celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, pilgrims Winton Anton and Geetha Winton from St Anthony of Padua Parish, Toongabbie, are excited to be visiting Rome for the first time.
“Travelling to Rome is one of the holiest places, so we are blessed to be participating in this pilgrimage,” Geetha said.
“God has blessed us as a couple to bring kids into the world and to faith, so it’s going to be special for us in our 25th year to be stepping through the Holy Doors in Rome.”
Parish support sending pilgrims overseas
For couple Denise and Patrick Carroll from Holy Family Parish, Emerton, they are truly humbled to be going overseas on pilgrimage.
The couple, whose parish sits in one of the most disadvantaged regions in Sydney, organised fundraisers to help them travel to Rome.
Over two days in early August, amidst cold and wet weather, the couple took on the Blue Mountains’ Grand Cliff Top Walk from Wentworth Falls to Katoomba.
Pilgrims Patrick (left) and Denise Carroll from Holy Family Parish Emerton with Bishop Vincent. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta
“It’s been very humbling to receive the support from the community,” Patrick said. “They were very generous in giving us support, but also spiritual blessings along the way.”
Denise said, “speaking about our journey to people in our parish, people have told us that it’s renewed their joy, faith and hope as well, so it’s not just a pilgrimage for ourselves.
“Pilgrimage is such a nice thing to do as husband and wife,” she added.
Pilgrims to return home with new joy
Pilgrimage chaplain Fr Joby is grateful to be given the opportunity by Bishop Vincent to lead the pilgrimage and return to Rome for the first time in almost 18 years.
As a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette, he is especially looking forward to celebrating Mass at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus in Türkiye.
“It’s very rare that we get a chance like this to journey during a Jubilee year,” Fr Joby said.
Pilgrimage chaplain Fr Joby Ittira. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta
“I’m sure the pilgrims’ faith will be nourished and enlightened throughout the experience, especially following in the footsteps of St Paul.
“I hope that the pilgrims receive strength, faith and courage to be good missionaries and through the encounters of new places and people, they will be changed people.”
The Jubilee of Hope Adult Pilgrimage aligns with the priorities of Mission and Formation in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
