Under the quiet cover of a Canberra night, a group of 31 men undertook a unique spiritual challenge: the inaugural Canberra Camino of St Joseph for Men. Source: Catholic Voice.
The 26.5-kilometre overnight pilgrimage began on Friday evening at St Joseph’s Parish in O’Connor and concluded 12 hours later at Mary Help of Christians in Pearce, where the pilgrims were warmly welcomed by parishioners and given a hot breakfast.
For many participants, it was uncharted territory. Several said they weren’t sure they had ever walked 26.5 kilometres before – certainly not at night.
Many arrived at Mary Help of Christians weary and sore-footed, but pleased they had taken part and eager to join again next year.
The walk was offered in prayer “for our young people to break free from their addiction to electronic devices”, an intention repeated throughout the night.
The pilgrims moved from parish to parish – St Joseph’s O’Connor, St Bridget’s Dickson, St Christopher’s Cathedral, St Peter Chanel Yarralumla, Holy Trinity Curtin, and finally Mary Help of Christians Pearce. At each stop, a priest was waiting to welcome them.
Event organiser Fr Emil Milat said the pilgrimage honours St Joseph, with stops at six churches for fifteen minutes of prayer each.
He described the night walk as physically demanding yet unifying, fostering fellowship and deeper prayer. Fr Milat hopes participants grow in their faith, build lasting community and come to know St Joseph as a key patron and male role model.
“This is deeply Catholic – letting the saints’ witness inspire us,” he said.
Pilgrims echoed that sense of unity. “We stayed together pretty much all night,” said participant Frank Stanford. “It was particularly inspiring to see the men praying the Rosary aloud as they walked through Braddon.
“Although we mostly dodged the rain, a brief early-morning shower offered just enough to wake us up!”
Canberra-Goulburn Archbishop Christopher Prowse, who blessed the group before departure, encouraged them by saying, “Pilgrimages help you come closer to your faith … St Joseph is a great father figure and mentor.”
After the walk, Fr Milat reflected on how unexpectedly uplifting the night had been. “There was a real energy … and the conversations drew us closer together and closer to God,” he said.
FULL STORY
Men walk 26.5km through the night in inaugural Canberra Camino (By Jeanine Doyle, Catholic Voice)
