Four designated Jubilee pilgrimage churches announced for Year of Hope

Archbishop Prowse with Pambula’s parish priest, Fr George Ogah

Four churches have been named pilgrimage churches for the Archdiocese during the upcoming Year of Hope, announced by Archbishop Christopher Prowse on Saturday 3rd August.

Archbishop Prowse said during his homily at the St Mary of the Cross MacKillop pilgrimage Mass in Eden that Pope Francis had declared 2025 a Jubilee Year for the entire world.

“From December 2024 until December 2025, we will join the church universal and celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope,” he said.

“Let us renew the pilgrimage of hope together.”

St Christopher’s Cathedral in Canberra, St Peter and Paul’s Old Cathedral in Goulburn, St Clement’s Retreat Centre in Galong and St Lady Star of the Sea Church in Eden are the four designated Jubilee pilgrimage churches.

“I pray that all sorts of creative prayer pilgrimages arise in these four geographic sections of the Archdiocese,” Archbishop Prowse said.

“As we continue this Mass on this year’s pilgrimage to Eden, so beloved of our Australian saint, let us pray for the Lord’s blessing on our Archdiocese during our approaching Assembly and the approaching Jubilee Year of Hope.”

St Mary MacKillop College Director of Student Wellbeing Nathan Wood said it was exciting that the Eden pilgrimage was part of the Archbishop’s plan for the upcoming year.

“It speaks to the importance of the pilgrimage,” he said.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the life of an amazing lady and her legacy.”

Since its inception, students from the college have travelled to the Eden pilgrimage, walking from the beach to the Mass, participating in readings, singing in the choir, and joining the offertory procession.

“This year, we took 13 students from our Student Representative Council in Years 9 to 11,” Nathan said.

“It is an important event in our calendar as the patron saint of our college and gives students an opportunity to really forge that connection with her.”

Nathan said students brought that experience back to the school, enhancing their faith life and leadership.

“Pilgrimages offer a real opportunity to reflect and learn more,” he said.

“It’s a chance to come together with people in the community, drawing from the wide breadth of regions across the Archdiocese.”