Two years ago, a group of young adults from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville, were so inspired by their pilgrimage to Lourdes and Fátima that they began an annual Marian procession at their parish, which is now in its third year.
Each year, in honour of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the parish’s 2023 World Youth Day (WYD) pilgrims collaborate to coordinate an evening of community and prayer for parishioners. The young adults lead a candlelit rosary procession following Mass to the parish’s neighbouring Shrine of the Holy Innocents – one of three official pilgrimage sites in the Diocese of Parramatta for this Year of Jubilee.
Members of the faithful at the conclusion of the 2024 Marian procession from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville, to the Franciscan Shrine of the Holy Innocents, Kellyville, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Image: Supplied
This year, the Marian procession will take place on Saturday 11 October – in honour of the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the parish’s patron.
All are invited to join and pray through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother.
An ongoing legacy of World Youth Day
The idea for the Parish’s first Marian procession can be traced back to one month after the pilgrims returned home from Lisbon in 2023.
Gathering to brainstorm how the spiritual fruits of their pilgrimage could be shared with their community, the pilgrims agreed that a common highlight of their journey was their time in Lourdes and Fátima, which are both sites of previous apparitions of Our Lady and centres of Marian devotion.
World Youth Day pilgrims from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville, light a candle in the Sanctuary of Lourdes in 2023. Image: Supplied
The group was deeply touched by the processions they encountered at both towns during the pilgrimage.
Jacob Boulus, one of the pilgrims from Kellyville, shared, “[t]he procession was not just physical, it was a spiritual movement into our hearts. It was a procession of Our Lady into our being.
“As Our Lady made her way into our hearts, we thought of our loved ones, friends and those who suffer.”
Parish youth leader Jacob Boulos during Mass ahead of the 2024 Marian procession from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville, to the Franciscan Shrine of the Holy Innocents, Kellyville, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Image: Supplied
Reflecting on the increase in their devotion to Mary because of their encounters on WYD, the pilgrims decided to create a similar experience for the faithful at home, especially those unable to travel due to physical or financial challenges.
“We wanted to create a path for Our Lady directly into the hearts of our parishioners and those who sent us overseas,” Jacob said.
They considered that the experience of a Marian procession was one way they could give back to the community, following the generous financial and spiritual support they had received in the lead up to their pilgrimage.
Members of the faithful venerate the statue of Our Lady at the conclusion of the 2024 Marian procession from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville, to the Franciscan Shrine of the Holy Innocents, Kellyville, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Image: Supplied
Young adults leading the way
The participation and leadership of young people has always been at the core of Kellyville’s Marian procession. Since 2023, the pilgrims have strived to make the Marian procession an opportunity for youth and young adults to step up in leading the community in prayer as an inspiration for the entire parish, but also to role model ministry in the faith to their peers.
Over the last two years, people from different parishes across the Diocese of Parramatta have volunteered for roles as statue bearers, prayer leaders, and musicians. The 2025 procession is set to be no different, with volunteers and participants expected from across Western Sydney and beyond.
Young people during the 2024 Marian procession from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville, to the Franciscan Shrine of the Holy Innocents, Kellyville, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Image: Supplied
The enthusiasm of young people in supporting this devotion to Our Lady is no mere coincidence. As Jacob explained, “Our Lady inspires a heart of service in all she calls to. There is a significant desire for everyone to serve, to carry Our Lady, to sing, to help direct the procession.”
An invitation to all
All are welcome to Our Lady of the Rosary this year to pray together through the intercession of Our Lady and experience a beautiful slice of Lourdes and Fátima – right here in Kellyville.
The parish’s WYD pilgrims were deeply moved by their experiences of prayer two years ago, and hope that this year’s procession will provide the space for similar experiences of faith for others.
“The [experience of the] Marian procession is meant to be shared,” Jacob said.
“If you make way for Our Lady in yourselves, she will make way for others in our hearts.”
All are invited to participate in the Marian Procession for the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on Saturday 11 October 2025, commencing with the 6pm Vigil Mass at Kellyville Parish, followed by the Procession.
This initiative aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Formation, Prayer and Community. Visit Synodality to learn more.
