Young people from across Parramatta Diocese demonstrated how strongly they value faith and community as they joyfully walked 23 kilometres on the annual Catholic Youth Parramatta Good Friday Night Walk. Source: Catholic Outlook.
The pilgrimage, open to young people and their families across the diocese, stopped at six local parishes, starting at St Patrick’s Church in Blacktown and finishing at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta.
From the outset, pilgrims expressed how excited they were to see more than 500 young people coming together from all areas of the diocese.
Before beginning their night pilgrimage, Parramatta Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv blessed the pilgrims, sharing his joy at participating in the pilgrimage after a few years of disruption due to the pandemic.
“The walk reminds us of the spiritual journey through life that we embark upon together. Pilgrimage requires a sense of surrender, because you have to step out of your comfort zone, your familiar home ground,” he said.
Among the hundreds of pilgrims was Joseph from Parramatta Marist High School, Westmead
“I decided to join the walk because I feel a lot more connected to my faith and coming into this spiritually connected time of Easter, it’s a great event to sacrifice our night to get a snippet of what Jesus felt carrying the cross to Golgotha,” Joseph said.
At 6am, with sore feet, hungry stomachs and full hearts, pilgrims reached the final stop of their pilgrimage, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, welcomed by the aroma of bacon and eggs prepared by the parish community.
FULL STORY
Young people testify to faith on Good Friday Night Walk (By Eleanor Bonwick and Mary Brazell, Catholic Outlook)
