At the request of the Holy See, Catholic dioceses worldwide have designated local cathedrals, other churches and shrines as local pilgrimage sites during the 2025 Jubilee Year.
The celebration of a Holy Year every 25 years is an acknowledgment that “the Christian life is a journey calling for moments of greater intensity to encourage and sustain hope as the constant companion that guides our steps toward the goal of our encounter with the Lord Jesus.”
Each person placing a glowing candle on a large Rosary in front of the Shrine created a visual symbol of prayer and hope, then reading their intentions aloud and led the community in prayer, invoking the intercession and guidance of Our Mother Thrice Admirable.
The 16km walk, hosted by Catholic Mission in conjunction with the Spirituality Hub Kirup, was based on the Christian tradition of pilgrimage.
A little team was co-ordinated to organise the day held on Saturday, 7 October, and a small bus was hired to leave from Our Lady of Lourdes Church Rockingham.
Joining the 1.5 million youth were 104 pilgrims from the Neocatechumenal communities of the Archdiocese of Perth who attended the vigil and closing Mass during their 14-day pilgrimage; a time which will remain a memorial for many of the young people for the rest of their lives.
Catholic Education WA World Youth Day Facilitator and Iona Presentation College Deputy Principal, Ryan Shelton said the group consisting of 15 office and school staff had undergone a 12-month formation program which both involved the physical and spiritual aspect.
Despite the cold windy weather, some 135 people gathered at the Shrine with Deacon Errol Lobo from Armadale Parish, Hilbert leading the Rosary procession.
There are many routes to Santiago which pilgrims can undertake, starting in Portugal, France or Spain and even further away for the more adventurous.
Whitford parishioner Shirley-Ann Poulton is calling out for interested Perth Catholics to come together to attend a pilgrimage to Camino de Santiago and has this week shared her experience with The Record.