Pilgrimages

You are invited to be among those pilgrims blessed to be present in St Peter’s Square, Rome as Mother Mary MacKillop is canonised Australia’s first saint by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.

All pilgrims intending to travel to Rome are strongly encouraged to begin immediate contact with the Canonisation Travel Office operated by Harvest, the official event tour operator.

Travel Packages feature Rome Direct Itineraries (4 & 6 night options) which include airfares, accommodation, official sightseeing options and guaranteed entry passes into the Canonisation and other special ceremonies being planned.

Harvest have prepared too a number of pilgrimage tour extensions which participants can elect to take before or after their time in Rome. Options include various Italy pilgrimages, France, the Holy Land and even an opportunity to retrace Mary’s journey through Scotland in 1873.

Please click here to be linked to the Official Travel Website where you can now begin the journey to Rome and reserve your place in history for this once in a lifetime opportunity. The Canonisation Travel Office can also be reached from 1 March on 1300 GO ROME  (1300 467 663 ).

2010 Australian Pilgrimage

12-22 April

This is a Pilgrimage specially prepared by the Sisters of St Joseph that is designed to inform & inspire people of all denominations.  By visiting the districts that were the scenes of Mary’s family life and early ministry, the pilgrim will appreciate more fully the sacrifices she made and the difficulties she encountered.

Pilgrimages

The notion of going on a pilgrimage and being a pilgrim is a very ancient one that belongs to the spiritual tradition of all great faiths. For Christians, centres throughout the world are recognised as places of pilgrimage.

Places of pilgrimage beckon people to touch and get caught up in the atmosphere and spiritual realities that belong to their origins. However it is not only the site that takes people deep into the heart of their faith, but the journey itself, the setting out to capture something of the spirit of the place and tradition.

North Sydney: Mary MacKillop Place

Mary MacKillop Place (in particular the tomb of Mary MacKillop) has become a place of pilgrimage.

As Mary MacKillop died on 8th August, the 8th day of each month has become a special day for pilgrims to visit Mary MacKillop Place, participate in the celebration of the Eucharist, visit the Museum, and pray at the Tomb.

Mass times on the 8th of each Month at Mary MacKillop Place are 8am, 10am, and 12 noon.

When 8th of each month falls on a Sunday, the Masses are at 10am and 12 noon.

When the 8th of the month falls on a Wednesday, the Masses are at 8am, 10am and 1pm.

There is a Pastoral Care Department at Mary MacKillop Place, so some Sisters are always available to listen to pilgrims and visitors, and provide support when needed.

8th August is a very special day, and thousands of pilgrims visit Mary MacKillop Place, Masses are celebrated throughout the day in various locations, and there is a range of happenings. The organisation of such an event is challenging, and many volunteers help provide directions and support.

National Pilgrimage

The primary pilgrimage is the National Pilgrimage "In the Footsteps of Mary MacKillop" This annual pilgrimage of 11 days is in May and October each year. (For 2010, 12-22 April) It is prepared by the Sisters of St Joseph and is designed to inform and inspire people of all denominations. By visiting the district which was the scene of Mary's family life and early ministry, the pilgrim may better appreciate the sacrifices and difficulties she encountered.

Some of the places included on the pilgrimage are shown below

Flora MacKillop's grave at Macquarie Park Cemetery Sydney.	Waverley Cemetery Sydney - The Grave of Fr Julian Tenison Woods.
Portland Church: It was during Mary's time in Portland (she was Sacristan in this Church) that her call to religious life became clear.	The Stable at Bayview House Portland provided accommodation for Fr Woods on his travels through the area.
Mother Mary MacKillop Memorial Park: On this site at Penola SA the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph began.	Plaque indicating the site of the Stable school in Penola SA where Mary MacKillop began the first ministry of the Sisters of St Joseph
It was in this Church at Port Adelaide in 1867 that Mary MacKillop and Rose Cunningham were introduced to the people of Adelaide for the first time.	Franklin St Chapel Adelaide SA Mary MacKillop was excommunicated by Bishop Sheil in 1871
Morphet Vale Church SA: In this Church the sentence of ex-comunication on Mary was lifted in 1872.	Hamilton Victoria. The grave of Mary's father

The Sisters of St Joseph will lead the Pilgrimage and provide input at the significant sites in Mary's life. Opportunity for prayer and reflection is provided at these special places in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. For further information about the National Pilgrimage contact the pilgrimage co-ordinator in

NSW - Sr Therese Leydon rsj 02 4285 4809

Victoria - Sr. Lynette Young 362 Albert Street Melbourne

                Email: lynette.young@sosj.org.au
Queensland - Sr Genevieve Carroll rsj - 07 3848 1635

Western Australia - Laura McCarthy 08 9334 0999 lmccarthy@sosjwa.org.au

Local Pilgrimages

Local pilgrimages are organised from the various Mary MacKillop centres in each province. Details can be found in the appropriate MacKillop centre. In Victoria the birth date of Mary, the 15th January, is a special day for commemoration.

South Australian Pilgrimageso

Mary MacKillop Centre Kensington SA conducts guided pilgrimages to the following locations. Some pilgrimages are conducted on alternate years. Charges apply. Booking essential.
Phone: (08) 8364 5311. Email: mackillopkens@adam.com.au

• Adelaide & Districts: 1 Day
• Mid Northern Towns - 2 Day
• Kensington & Districts: 1 Day
• Southern Country Districts - 1 Day
• Mid Northern Towns: 1 Day
• Lower North & Copper Coast - 1 Day
• Penola & the South East: 3 Days
• Penola, Melbourne & Sydney - 11 Days