More than 200 pilgrims from across Gippsland and beyond gathered in Benambra last weekend for a special diocesan pilgrimage honouring St Francis of Assisi. Source: Sale Diocese.
This weekend commemorated the 800th anniversary of the death of one of Christianity’s most beloved saints.
Hosted by the community of Benambra, the celebration held particular significance as Benambra is home to St Francis of Assisi Church, the only church in the Sale Diocese dedicated to the saint.
The pilgrimage began at St Mary’s Church, Bairnsdale, with a Transitus Service on the vigil of the Feast of St Francis. During the service, Sale Bishop Greg Bennet invited participants to undertake an “Assisi pilgrimage of the heart”, encouraging them to reflect on the saint’s witness of faith, simplicity and discipleship.
Following this prayerful start, many of the pilgrims gathered and shared a meal together.
The next day began with morning prayer at St Mary’s before the two-hour journey through the high country to Benambra.
Before Mass, Bishop Bennet blessed animals including a horse, a turkey and many dogs, both large and small.
A number of significant gifts were presented during Mass. A first-class relic of St Francis of Assisi was gifted to the diocese by Bairnsdale parishioner Frank Brown Graham. This relic was given to him as a teenager and has been in his possession for the past 60 years.
A beautiful commemorative icon, written by Annette Bristow-Stagg from the icon writing group in Traralgon, was blessed by Bishop Bennet and will remain in the church as a reminder of this special occasion.
A wooden Franciscan plaque was also gifted to the church by Glen Schumacher, from the Secular Franciscan Order as a lasting remembrance of the occasion.
Pilgrims left with their own keepsake, a Tau cross worn as a necklace, made by the VCE-Vocational Majors students from Nagle Catholic College Bairnsdale, and a native plant, symbolising a commitment to care for creation as the Church concluded the Season of Creation.
Together, these gifts served as tangible reminders of St Francis’ call to faith, simplicity, fraternity, and stewardship of the natural world.
The Pilgrimage Mass at St Francis of Assisi Benambra celebrated both the enduring legacy of St Francis and the rich history of Catholic faith in Victoria’s High Country. Catholics have gathered in Benambra since the 1870’s, with priests travelling vast distances on horseback to celebrate the sacraments and nurture faith among pioneer families.
FULL STORY
Diocese of Sale Pilgrims Gather in Benambra to Honour St Francis of Assisi (Sale Diocese)
