Pilgrims of Hope: A Jubilee Journey Through Faith and Life

Pope Francis declared that 2025 would be a Jubilee Year for the Church. A Jubilee is a tradition
established in the 13th century, serving as a time of spiritual renewal and reflection, pilgrimage to holy
places, and acts of charity and justice. The origins of the Jubilee Year are found in the Old Testament
(Leviticus 25:8).

The 2025 Jubilee Year also marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD—a
significant council that confirmed the understanding of the Holy Trinity and established the Nicene Creed,
which is still recited at Mass today.

The theme for the 2025 Jubilee Year is “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Archdiocese of Melbourne identified 13
churches ( including our neighbour St Dominic’s, Camberwell) as pilgrimage sites for Masses, adoration, and the granting of a Jubilee indulgence.

The idea of pilgrimage also has roots in the Old Testament, where Jews were required to travel to
Jerusalem for major feasts such as Passover. Jesus himself went on pilgrimages to Jerusalem (Luke 2:41),
and early Christians traveled to places associated with his life, death, and resurrection. Pilgrimage was
seen as a way of walking in the footsteps of Christ—a tradition that continues to this day.

One of the most famous pilgrimages is to Santiago de Compostela, also known as the Way of St. James.
This refers to a network of pilgrimage routes leading to the shrine of St. James in the cathedral. Other
notable pilgrimages include journeys to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Lourdes, Rome, and many other sacred
places around the world.

I have visited some of our pilgrimage churches in the Archdiocese of Melbourne and found the experience both
interesting and uplifting.

My first visit was to the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Mansfield, constructed in 1937. An earlier church in
the area was at Woods Point, an early mining settlement. It was a delight to meet the parish priest, a friend
of Father Sang Ho, who shared the history of the church and explained why it was named after St. Francis
Xavier. He also spoke about his Indian heritage and upbringing in the faith in a region visited by St. Francis
Xavier during his travels to the East. He was delighted that over 1,000 pilgrims have visited the church and
signed his register.

St. Patrick’s at Mentone holds special significance for me. It was where I was raised, and in the late 1950s,
I served as an altar server and became well-versed in the Latin Mass. Our family left Mentone when the new
church was being constructed. The church is quite magnificent, built in a traditional style with Glen Iris
bricks. It features attractive stained glass windows in the east and west transepts, as well as windows
depicting St. Patrick and St. Paul. The church tower is a local landmark, visible from various vantage points
in Mentone and the surrounding area. It has impressive bronze doors, and for the 50th anniversary, a bell
was installed in the tower.

It was a pleasure to visit St. Mary’s Star of the Sea in West Melbourne, a church I had never visited before.
It is a classical and ornate church, yet very attractive. I was pleasantly surprised by the large congregation
—probably around 250 people—at the 10.00 am Mass, reflecting the faith of people from many backgrounds,
including many young people. For those who are sceptical about the future of the faith, a visit to this church
would be most reassuring.

Beyond visiting these churches, the idea of a journey or pilgrimage prompts me to reflect on the meaning of
life. Why are we here? There must be a reason. A pilgrimage serves as a symbol of the Christian journey
through life towards a holy destination. I believe that the purpose of life is fulfilled by this journey to the
promised destination (John 3:16). Thus, we are all pilgrims, and pilgrimages remind us of this reality.
Perhaps, like Moses—who, after 40 years of trials and tribulations in the desert, remained faithful to God
and led the Israelites to the Promised Land—we are also undertaking a journey. This is a reflective typology
of our own spiritual journey.

And so, for me, I hope, that with my pilgrimage passport, endorsed with stamps from the churches I have visited, I will be able to walk freely, in the fast queue, without question, through the pearly gates.

By:  David Rush