In a sea of remarkable scenes at the annual Walk with Christ procession, it could be one of the rarest.
Hundreds of teenagers walking in solemn silence, without devices, without chatter—just reverent prayer and reflection.
It’s a powerful display of devotion in stark contrast to your typical image of today’s tech-absorbed teenagers, but every year, as the city pauses, so do hundreds of Sydney students, taking solace from their digital lives, from selfies, likes and views to publicly affirm their faith.
It’s a scene that never fails to move Sebastian Szafjanski, Religious Education Co-ordinator (REC) at Corpus Christi College in Maroubra, as he prepares to bring his students to the procession on 22 June.
“It’s rare that you’ll see those students, especially across a range of year groups, silent, solemn and reverent. It’s very moving when you see the love they have for this sacrament,” he said.
Since 2021, the college has had the honour of taking “pole position” walking directly behind the Blessed Sacrament in the procession.
When the Blessed Sacrament emerges, Szafjanski describes “a sudden change in the air among the students. All talk stops. They feel that true presence come upon them,” he shared. “It affirms this fact that we are the sum of together, we are the sum of this body of Christ,” he said.
John Francis, Youth Ministry Coordinator at La Salle College in Bankstown, emphasised how the school has proudly carried the La Salle College banner through Sydney’s streets since 2021. “Carrying our school banner is considered a great honour,” Francis explains. “The students who are selected take immense pride in representing not just our school, but our Catholic identity to the wider community. It’s something they remember long after they’ve graduated.”
For many students, the Walk with Christ represents their first experience of Catholic devotion outside the structured environment of school Masses. “It’s transformative for them,” Francis says. “They see elderly people, young families, religious sisters and brothers—all walking together in faith. It helps them understand that being Catholic isn’t just about attending a Catholic school; it’s a lifelong journey of faith.”
Student Bella Pinho shared that her favourite moment is praying the rosary together as they walk through the city, showing that “Christ is our way.” “We may be small but we can be “as big and as strong as the wider community,” she reflected.
Hayley Bui particularly cherishes the adoration moment during the procession, describing it as “beautiful moment to celebrate Christ together and to see Him with our own eyes and just pray together.”
For the newly amalgamated college, St Vincent’s College in Ashfield, participation in the procession holds special significance as they forge a new shared identity while honouring this rich tradition.
“It’s been quite a challenge,” reflects Petah Foran, Dean of Mission at the College. “But we’re growing, and the students are really committed to their college now. The waving of their banner and the joining together of both boys and girls at the Walk with Christ is symbolic of that journey we’ve undertaken.”
What began with 13 students has grown significantly, with approximately 30 students expected to participate this year.
“We are getting more and more wanting to go and I asked some of them why and its all about a commonality of experience and the strengthening of our faith. I think that’s what motivates the kids,” Foran said.
College Captain Caitlin shared her moving realisation that “Sydney had blocked off streets so that members of her faith could publicly proclaim their faith.”
Her first Walk with Christ was a profound experience. “I was just in awe of the large scale of the walk and having all of those people around me. I felt that I was a part of something much larger than myself, my school or my community.”
For Justin, a house captain baptised into the Catholic Church last year, the experience reinforced a real sense of belonging. “This is what the experience what being Catholic is about. It’s about community; having all of those people gathered together, it’s about being Christ-centred and being confident in your faith and saying we’re here and we are proud to be Catholic.”
As Sydney prepares for this year’s procession with an anticipated 20,000 participants, the students of Corpus Christi, Maroubra, La Salle College, Bankstown and St Vincent’s College Ashfield will once again down their devices and unfurl their banners to gather en masse to join an age old tradition connecting them to the wider Sydney archdiocese and the universal church.
Szafjanski’s message to other schools considering participating in this year’s Walk with Christ is clear: “This is an opportunity for a student to be struck by the presence of God in a way that can’t be taught. It’s a day where they become a microcosm of the macrocosm of God’s love and that stays with them forever.”
The festival begins at 1pm in Martin Place, followed by the Walk with Christ Eucharistic procession from 2.30pm on Sunday, 22 June.