2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage
In April 2025, a spirited group of Adelaide Catenians from both the Adelaide City Circle and Adelaide North Group embarked on an unforgettable pilgrimage to St Mark’s Cathedral in Port Pirie. Accompanied by their families and three Passionist Sisters (Sr Nithya, Sr Shiji, and Sr Mary Jasmine), the pilgrims set out on a 2.5 hour journey from Adelaide, eager to embrace the spiritual significance of the occasion. This wasn’t just any trip, it was a rare opportunity to participate in the Jubilee Holy Year of the Catholic Church, a once-in-25-year event offering special indulgences and a chance for profound spiritual renewal.
The adventure began at 7 a.m. with over 50 pilgrims gathering at St Euphrasia Syro-Malabar Church. Sr Nithya led an opening reflection that set a reverent tone before the group boarded a coach at 8 a.m. The bus ride to Port Pirie was anything but quiet—lively praise and worship music filled the air, punctuated by a communal rosary and heartfelt reflections that united the pilgrims in faith, building the anticipation.
Arriving at St Mark’s Cathedral at 11:15 a.m., slightly behind schedule for the 11 a.m. public Mass, the group was warmly welcomed by Bishop Karol Kulczycki SDS, who had graciously delayed the start and stood at the cathedral’s entrance to greet them. The Mass that followed was a beautiful and solemn affair, with Catenians stepping up as readers and Bishop Karol delivering an insightful reflection on the meaning of pilgrimage. With a playful nod, he dubbed the Catenians the “Catholic masons,” sparking smiles among the congregation, before explaining their role to the local parishioners.
After the Mass, Bro Kingsley Forsyth took to the pulpit for a brief but engaging talk, shedding light on who the Catenians are and what they offer Catholic men, a moment of pride for the group. The festivities continued with a delicious lunch, partly organized by the Sisters of St Anne (Sr Sheela, Sr Delma, and Sr Elizabeth), who joined the pilgrims alongside local priests Fr. Jimmy Pantin and Fr. Sahaya Ranjith, as well as Bishop Karol. The meal provided a relaxed setting for meaningful conversations and connections between the visitors and the Port Pirie community.
In a gesture of gratitude, the Catenians contributed a donation to the Port Pirie Diocese and a financial gift to Sr Sheela, who, after 16 years of missionary work in South Australia, was preparing to return permanently to India at the end of April. It was a bittersweet farewell to a beloved figure whose presence had touched many lives.
At 3:15 p.m., the pilgrims piled back onto the bus, but the journey home was far from subdued. The mood shifted to one of joy and camaraderie, with Catholic trivia games led by Theresa, the adult daughter of Bro Joseph Biju, sending the bus into fits of laughter. More music, singing, and even video recordings of the day’s highlights kept the energy high. A quick stop for refreshments and a bathroom break was included in the return trip, and by 5:15 p.m., the group was back at St Euphrasia Syro-Malabar Church, tired but fulfilled.
The pilgrimage, masterminded by President-Elect Bro Akhile Joseph with robust support from Bro Joseph Biju, Bro Jackson Chinnappin, Bro Justin Raphael, Bro Robin Tom, Theresa, and the Sisters of St Anne, marked the boldest social event ever undertaken in the Adelaide Catenians’ young history. By all accounts, it was a resounding success. The pilgrims returned not just with memories of a well-executed day trip, but with a deepened faith and a tangible sense of God’s presence in their lives, a unique and cherished experience that would linger long after the bus rolled to a stop.
Bro Kingsley Forsyth
