Pilgrims gathered at the Shrine of the Holy Innocents in Kellyville recently to begin a special journey of faith to St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta.
The pilgrimage, on Saturday, 15 August 2026, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, began at the Shrine, a place of prayer and a witness to the dignity of human life. Before setting out, the pilgrims offered intentions for families, young people, the protection of life, the Church and all those in need of prayer, before beginning their walk in honour of Our Blessed Mother.
Leaving the Shrine, the pilgrims began the first part of their journey towards St Michael’s Catholic Church in Baulkham Hills. Along the way, conversation and friendship were joined by prayer and reflection, with each step becoming an opportunity to offer personal intentions to God.
The first important stop was St Michael’s Catholic Church in Baulkham Hills, where the pilgrims paused to rest, pray and reflect. It was a peaceful opportunity to bring their intentions before God and reflect upon Mary’s trust and obedience. Renewed through prayer, they then continued towards Parramatta.
Pilgrims on their way to Parramatta. Image: Supplied
As the pilgrims continued their walk to St Patrick’s Cathedral, tiredness naturally became part of the journey. Yet every difficult step could be offered as a small sacrifice made with love, while the pilgrims encouraged one another along the way.
Eventually, after the walk from Kellyville through Baulkham Hills, the pilgrims reached St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta. Arriving on foot brought a special sense of gratitude, accomplishment and joy.
The pilgrimage was much more than travelling from one place to another. From the Shrine, to the prayerful stop at St Michael’s, and finally to the Cathedral, every part of the day became an expression of faith and devotion to Our Blessed Mother.
The Solemnity of the Assumption reminds us that Mary always points us towards her Son and towards our final destination — eternal life with God.
The pilgrimage therefore carried a simple but powerful message: keep walking, keep praying and keep your eyes fixed on Christ.
From the Shrine of the Holy Innocents, to St Michael’s at Baulkham Hills, and finally to St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta, every prayer, every conversation, every sacrifice and every step became part of the pilgrimage.
The journey offered one final reminder: just as Mary faithfully followed God throughout her life, we too are called to walk with faith and allow her to lead us closer to her Son.
Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.
St Francis of Assisi, pray for us.
All the Holy Innocents, pray for us.
Adrianna Mansour is a parishioner at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville.
The pilgrimage is an example of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan objective of A Church Walking Together. Visit Synodality to learn more.
