For Bede Alexander, the 23-year-old founder of “Fit for the Kingdom,” the Camino of St Joseph is both the rarest and most perfect of Catholic men’s events that unite mind, soul and body.
“Fit for the Kingdom” is an apostolate teaching the integration of the physical and spiritual life, working primarily among young male adults and teens to bring a vigorous, spirited integration of the faith.
“We really try and promote the idea of being strong in mind, body and soul, understanding that we are all three parts, and we come together in this beautiful way that God created us,” Bede shared.
In this way, Bede considers this year’s overnight pilgrimage, which will see an estimated 1000 men walk through the night from Como to Cronulla on 5 September, visiting seven churches along the way, as the perfect embodiment of this vision.
“It really does incorporate all three aspects. We’re going to be walking, so we’re going to do something physical. It’s going to be mentally tough and we’re going to be journeying as brothers in Christ together. There’s something that’s so special, because we get to come in communion with each other, and God created us for that greater communion,” Bede said.
“Fit for the Kingdom” began as a podcast among friends, discussing what it means to be Catholic men emphasising the importance of viewing the body as a gift from God “and that grace builds upon our nature. And so, we need to be strong in our nature, so that we can be strong in a life of grace.”
It’s why he’s so excited about this year’s walk, Bede’s first, after moving here from New Zealand to study at Campion College two years ago.
“I’m very blessed to kind of get this opportunity. We don’t really have this in New Zealand, and it was a big attraction and part of why I stayed in Sydney,” he said.
So keen was he to join this year, he volunteered to join organiser Michael Jaksic from Maximus Men’s Ministry within the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation for a practice walk two weeks ago.
“It was a beautiful walk. You’re going to be walking with a bunch of men, so any physical pain is going to be forgotten. And with the stops at churches to receive talks from the parish priests, you’re journeying in this very spiritual way. So, it’s going to be very prayerful as well.”
Bede offers practical advice for men preparing for the Camino: “Make sure you have a good night’s sleep before. If you haven’t been walking much, just go out one evening and have a good stroll of five to 10 kilometres. It’ll make a big difference. Make sure you’ve got some good walking shoes too.”
But Bede emphasises: “This walk isn’t about us; it’s about that guy who’s next to you. And through that reciprocal brotherhood that comes from journeying alongside someone else, is where we get to see the body of Christ really exemplified in this beautiful way that, doesn’t happen elsewhere.”
If you are interested in finding out more or registering for the Camino of St Joseph please follow the link.
