The beginning of the Paschal Triduum saw thousands of Sydney’s faithful participate in Holy Thursday night’s Seven Churches Visitation on 17 April, seizing the opportunity to pray and reflect on Jesus’ suffering while packing the pews of local churches throughout the evening.
By car, specially commissioned buses, or on foot, people embarked on the annual pilgrimage after attending the Mass of the Last Supper, filling suburban parishes across the archdiocese to pray before the Blessed Sacrament, which had been placed on an Altar of Repose.
The Catholic Weekly visited St Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Berala to partake in the centuries-old tradition, joined by the many hundreds in attendance. Parishioners Maria Marjan and her daughter Michaela wanted to offer prayers at the altar of repose and present an all-night “hug for Christ” during the visitation.
“This is basically the commemoration of Christ’s suffering before his resurrection,” said Maria. “Tonight, we want to remember exactly how Christ endured His sufferings, and we are going to be a part of his sufferings.”
Commemorating the night Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist more than 2,000 years ago, St Peter Chanel and St Joseph parish priest Fr Josh Miechels imparted the Lord’s message of humility, service, and love by washing the feet of several local parishioners. In his homily he encouraged parishioners to embody this message in their lives.
As the Mass concluded, a busload more of the faithful arrived. It was the first time a bus was hired to accommodate the increasing numbers eager to participate in the Seven Churches Visitation pilgrimage, reflecting the growth of devotion within the community and throughout the archdiocese as more individuals seek to deepen their faith through the cherished tradition.
Taking her seat on the pilgrimage for the first time was local resident Lisa McLelland, who brought along her mother, Nora, and her children, Kane and May. “We’re going to visit some local churches in the area, deepen our faith, spend more time with God, and just reconnect,” she said.
Pilgrimage group leader Sr Anastasia Reeves OP said more people had wanted to come then she could accommodate on the bus. “It’s getting bigger and bigger every year,” she said.
It was also a first for local man Karim Kassis, who was embarking on the meaningful journey with excitement and anticipation. st “I’ve never done this before, so this feels like a real opportunity to see other churches and just feel the Holy Spirit working through the different churches we’re going to visit tonight,” he said.
As the passengers boarded, they headed off to their first church visit. There were no countdowns of ‘green bottles’ or other bus singalongs—the atmosphere was mostly solemn, reverent, and prayerful, as Sr Reeves led the packed bus through prayer and special intentions as outlined in the guidebook distributed by the Archdiocese of Sydney a week prior.
At their first stop, St John Vianney Church in Greenacre, swarms of pilgrims entered as various church congregations, individuals, and families disembarked from the cars and buses that lined the already congested streets.
This marked the fourth stop for 17-year-old Marcelina Ayraut from St Charbel’s in Punchbowl.
“I’ve seen thousands of people tonight. Jesus is alive. I had to park two blocks away, but it’s been worth it,” she said.
“I haven’t been for three years, but all my friends were going. I’m not surprised it’s so busy. Something is happening in our churches and in the community; you can definitely feel it. And you can see it tonight,” he said, clearly moved by the experience.
At the next church, St Jerome’s in Punchbowl, the Sleiman family arrived at their seventh and final visitation for the night. Exhausted yet elated, they were overwhelmed by the sense of community felt throughout the evening.
“This year, the turnout was overwhelming. We had to circle around to find parking, but we were so happy. The bigger, the better,” shared George Sleiman.
“It was heartening to witness familiar faces from all walks of life coming together in the churches. Without him, we are nothing. That is how we see it—our faith means everything to us. He means everything to us.”
His wife Nancy added, “It makes us proud. It is a tradition for us, and we were thrilled to be part of it. Seeing both Orthodox and Catholics uniting was wonderful.”