Hundreds of faithful across Sydney once again took part in the ever-growing Seven Churches Visitation pilgrimage following the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.
Pilgrims set out into the night – by bus, by car, or in organised groups – visiting seven out of 102 participating churches to pray before the Blessed Sacrament, kept at each altar of repose.
This year, the pilgrimage extended beyond the Archdiocese of Sydney to include churches from the Diocese of Broken Bay, Diocese of Parramatta, and Maronite Catholic Eparchy, reflecting the breadth and unity of the Catholic community across the city.
Bishop Richard Umbers led a group of young pilgrims from St Ambrose Concord West, who began the night visiting St Joseph Maronite Church in Croydon, made a stop at St Mary’s Cathedral, St Patrick’s Church Hill, St Brendan’s Annandale and St Brigid’s Marrickville, eventually finishing at St Paul of the Cross in Dulwich Hill.
Explaining the origins of the pilgrimage, Bishop Umbers said pilgrims would visit the great basilicas as an act of penance and devotion. Over time, in the 16th century, St Philip Neri popularised the practice, leading groups through the city in prayerful reflection on Christ’s Passion. As Bishop Umbers explained “everything from Rome eventually makes its way across the world and has now reached Sydney.”
In Sydney, this pilgrimage has taken on a distinctly communal character. Parishes across the archdiocese open their doors late into the night, welcoming streams of pilgrims moving from church to church. On the night when Jesus asked his disciples, “Could you not watch one hour with me?”, the young adults accompanying Bishop Umbers united in a shared desire to remain with Christ in his suffering, reflecting on the events that led to his Passion, beginning with the Garden of Gethsemane.
For many this was their first time participating in the pilgrimage. At the end of the night many said that “praying together, and keeping watch with Christ in his darkest hour was a privilege and I would do it all again.”
Updated 8 April 2026 to correct the number of participating churches.
