For many Catholic men, the greatest battles are fought not in public, but at home—where faith, family, and fatherhood are tested daily.
For husband and father of three Luka Simic, the Camino of St Joseph, the annual overnight pilgrimage on 5 September, is more than a physical challenge. It’s a spiritual bootcamp that arms men for the fight that matters most.
“The spiritual battle begins at home, and by going on these walks with other Catholic men, you get to sharpen yourself, get ready for spiritual warfare,” Luka says.
“This brings your family together and let’s face it, to get closer to God is the end game.”
After his first experience of the camino last year, Luka describes the event as a unique opportunity to learn from other Catholic men at every stage of life.
“You learn more about your faith, about yourself, and this sets you up to be a better father at home. Knowledge is power and the information you gain from them, through the encounters with priests and lay people on the night, I am able to compound my spiritual life.”
After witnessing 750 men walk through the night last year, he was so inspired by the faith-driven determination of the men who walked the 22 kilometres from St Anthony’s of Padua in Austral to All Saints Church in Liverpool, he’s volunteered to be a marshal this time.
“You see older men in their late 60’s and early 70’s and in wheelchairs—that sharpens you. You’re grateful for what you’ve got and it sharpens you to go that bit further. Too often the world makes you want more than you have. This makes you appreciate what you’ve got and you can take that home.”
Among the army of 1000 men who will march through the Sutherland Shire of Sydney from Como to Cronulla this year, will be a troop of faithful volunteers, ready to sharpen the men on the walk, modelling the silent, steadfast masculinity of St Joseph.
Brandon Leyba, 24, a member of Sumner House in Lidcombe, a house of discernment for young men, will be volunteering on the night with his housemates, as a form of silent service echoing the humility of St Joseph.
“We’re doing this because of our devotion to St Joseph and our fraternity as men with one another. We don’t do it for our own sake, but we do it for our own fraternity. And, of course, our devotion to St Joseph and walking alongside your mates.”
Brandon is excited to also help support men on the walk in the ‘physical warfare’ of the event.
“As much as it is a spiritual occasion where we think and contemplate on St Joseph and his silent life, there’s also a part of physical warfare as well, walking through the evening after a day’s work, when we’re all exhausted and tired and just continue marching on in perseverance. We are there to help lead the way in faith and it will be an honour.”
“You don’t have to fight the battle all on your own,” added Luka. “There are men of faith on the walk, deacons and priests who arm you with the correct prayers, with the correct teachings of our faith. I see a lot of Catholic men are now reverting back to faith, so we must relearn the faith. This walk arms you with the tools to be better, to help you fight the spiritual battle.”
For Luka, the impact of the camino reaches far beyond the night of the walk.
“Our children need to see a strong masculine example, but also someone who rolls up his sleeves and does the dishes and shows his wife affection. It’s your actions, not your words, that matter. The camino makes you want to be better and the more you learn to be closer with Christ, it sharpens you. After all, if Christ is with us, who can be against us?”
If you are interested in finding out more or registering for the Camino of St Joseph go to https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1325650