Annual Marian Procession unites multicultural and ecumenical communities in prayer for peace

A vibrant display of unity and prayer filled the streets of Goulburn on Sunday as hundreds of parishioners and pilgrims gathered for the annual Marian Procession.

The multicultural, intergenerational celebration, which included the Maronite and Anglican communities for the first time, was a heartfelt prayer for peace in the world.

“It is ecumenical because the world is in disarray,” Archbishop Christopher Prowse said.

“It is time we showcase unity. It gives a good example to the world. We should never take peace for granted anywhere in the world, but we can easily do so in Australia because we seem so far away from these theatres of destruction and war.”

The event began with the Rosary at St Saviour’s Anglican Cathedral, then proceeded along Bourke St to Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, before concluding at Sts Peter & Paul’s Old Cathedral with a Pilgrims Mass.

“It’s a joyous moment, especially that we were praying for peace in Lebanon and the Middle East, much needed at this time,” he said.

“Our people are suffering, and they need our prayers and support. We are entering into the Year of Hope and ask the Lord to give us the hope and courage to persevere in our faith and continue our journey.”

St Saviour’s Cathedral sub-dean Canon Anne Wentzel said it was a great joy to be in attendance.

“It is a wonderful ecumenical event that has taken place in this city, something that should be seen more and more in our time as we gather under our one Lord and God and Christ Himself,” she said.

(L-R) Our Lady of Mercy parish priest Fr John Paul Bassil, Dean of the St Saviours Anglican Cathedral, Goulburn, Gavin Krebs and Catholic Archbishop Christopher Prowse

Goulburn Legion of Mary member Kate Yeadon, who walked in the procession with friend Brenda Writer, was delighted to see so many people come to honour Our Lady.

“Who wouldn’t want to take part?” she said.

“This is what the world needs – peace. The important part is coming together. We should all be together in the world, I think. We should help each other.”

Parish Pastoral Council Chair Diane Green said the prayer for world peace incorporated recognising others and making community.

“You’ve got to build communities,” she said.

“You’ve got to have places for people to come together. It’s multicultural. It’s ecumenical. We’ve got to open our hearts.”

Diane said it was inspiring to see the procession led by young people.

“If you don’t have young people, where is your succession?” she said.

“We need the young people, and the young people need us. They need guidance, they need to know where they can come to learn about tradition and spirituality, and they need to know where they can come when they need some help.”

A Youth Rally was held during the event, with many young people gathering to share inspiring testimonies and boldly declare their ‘yes’ to Jesus.

University student Ashton D’Mello, who attended with friends Samuel, Isaac, Asher and Shain, said there was nowhere they would rather be on a Sunday.

“Yes, it can be hard – sometimes you might even be embarrassed to profess your faith out in public,” he said.

“But I think it was pretty cool marching down the road with our fellow Catholics, praying the Rosary, shoulder to shoulder with these boys, praying with the community as a whole.”