Principal Pilgrimag
Principal Pilgrimage - A Journey of Faith and Leadership
Dear St Joseph's Parents and Families,
I have returned this week from a significant and meaningful leadership pilgrimage with fellow principals and leaders from the Archdiocese of Melbourne. As I settle back into the rhythm of school life, I feel so grateful for the incredible experience we shared, and how it connects directly to the heart of our mission here at St Joseph’s.
The experience was deeply rooted in our Catholic faith. I was constantly reminded of the profound wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who taught that there are no coincidences - God is truly present in all things. To witness this spiritual connection as we travelled and reflected together was truly inspiring.
Strengthening Our Catholic Identity
The primary purpose of this pilgrimage was to reinforce the foundations of faith leadership and authentic witness within our Catholic schools. This shared time with my colleagues has enriched my personal commitment to fostering a vibrant faith life at St Joseph’s and ensuring that our leadership remains focused on Catholic values in a MACS context.
I look forward to incorporating the insights gained to further develop our school culture and Catholic Identity and ensure we are always enabling the best possible environment for our children to thrive, both academically and spiritually.
Week 2 of the Principal Pilgrimage
Here is a snapshot of the second week of the pilgrimage....
Rome - The Catacombs and St Paul's Basilica Outside the Wall
The catacombs of St Callixtus are among the greatest and most important Christian burial sites in Rome. They served as the official underground cemetery for the Church of Rome, housing the remains of martyrs, saints, and popes. The most special part of our visit here was being part of Mass celebrated by Fr. Gallacher in the underground catacombs. Fr. Gallacher encouraged us to reflect on how we would bring our faith back to our communities as the saints and popes in previous years had done. This was a very special celebration of the Word and Eucharist for our group.
We visited St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls, which holds great historical and spiritual importance as one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas, built over the traditional burial site of St. Paul the Apostle. Serving as a sacred pilgrimage destination for Christians around the world, it houses St. Paul’s remains and the chains that once bound him during his imprisonment. Its name reflects its location outside the ancient walls of Rome. The basilica also has the portraits of every pope in the history of the Catholic church painted on the ceiling, including our most recent pope, Pope Francis (which you can see pictured in one of the photos).
Loreto - The Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto
The Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto is one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world, known for its spiritual and historical significance. According to tradition, it houses the Holy House of Nazareth, where the Virgin Mary lived and where she received the Annunciation from the Angel Gabriel. This sacred site has become a major shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary, drawing pilgrims from around the world who come to honour her. Within this basilica, is also a chapel dedicated to St Joseph, Mary's husband, where I took some time to pray for our St Joseph's school community.
Assisi - The Basilica of Saint Clare, the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi and the Tomb of Saint Carlo Acutis
The Basilica di Santa Chiara in Assisi, central Italy, is a beautiful and deeply significant church dedicated to Saint Clare of Assisi, a devoted follower of Saint Francis and the founder of the Order of Poor Ladies, now known as the Order of Saint Clare. The basilica holds the remains of Saint Clare, making it an important place of prayer and pilgrimage. It is also home to the famous Crucifix of San Damiano, the Romanesque cross before which Saint Francis was praying when he received his call to rebuild the Church. Today, this historic cross hangs in the Basilica of Saint Clare, symbolising faith, devotion, and the enduring legacy of the Franciscan spirit.
The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is one of the most beautiful and sacred places for pilgrims to visit in the hills of Umbria, in Assisi. During our visit, we spent time exploring the basilica, praying at the tomb of St. Francis, where his remains are preserved in the crypt, and admiring the breathtaking artwork that fills the Upper Church. The experience offered a profound sense of peace and connection to the legacy of St. Francis and his message of humility, faith, and love for all creation.
In Assisi, we were also privileged to be invited to attend a very special prayer celebration where we prayed the Rosary in Italian with thousands of other pilgrims inside and outside the Papal Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, Assisi. We joined another pilgrimage group from the Catholic Parish of Salerno on the Amalfi Coast, and we were asked to pray for peace.
One of the most special moments of our time in Assisi was visiting the tomb of Saint Carlo Acutis on his feast day, October 12, located in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. His body lies in a glass tomb, dressed in casual clothes - jeans, sneakers, and a sweatshirt - to remind us that holiness is possible for everyone, even in modern life. Carlo Acutis, a teenager who died in 2006 at the age of 15, is remembered for his deep faith, love for the Eucharist, and his creative use of technology to share the message of the Gospel, earning him the title of “the first millennial saint.” His tomb has become a beloved pilgrimage site, especially for young people, inspired by his joyful and authentic faith. Carlo was beatified by Pope Francis in Assisi in 2020 and canonized by Pope Leo XIV on September 7, 2025, becoming the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint. It was very special for us to visit his tomb, where it simply looks like a teenage boy sleeping. We were not able to takes photos of his tomb, however I was able to capture photos of the the church where he lays.
Cascia- The Basilica of Saint Rita
The final stop in our pilgrimage took us to Cascia, the home of the Basilica of Santa Rita and the town where the saint lived and is buried. Saint Rita of Cascia is known as the patron saint of impossible causes, a figure of immense faith, and a role model for women who have faced hardship in marriage and family life. Her life is celebrated with pilgrimages to her sanctuary and the veneration of her body, which is believed to be unchanged since her death. St. Rita's story as a wife and mother is deeply significant to the Catholic church. There is also a beautiful painting of Saint Joseph in the basilica, as he is a central figure in the life of the Holy Family and is honoured for his role as the protector.
Beautiful Italy
Throughout the pilgrimage journey, as well as visiting places that are significant in the history of the Catholic church, I also had the pleasure of visiting some significant historical places of interest such as the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, Piazza Navona, Vittorio Emanuele, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, just to name a few. I also tasted some delicious Italian food... one can never have too much pizza, pasta or gelato in Italy! I also learned a few new Italian words, which I will be able to share with the children and with Signora Bennett!
A Special Note of Thanks
I would like to acknowledge our very own Parish Priest, Fr. Gallacher, who generously and graciously joined us on this journey as our spiritual lead pilgrim. Fr. Gallacher’s guidance and spiritual commitment, with the support of chaplain Fr Michael Buck, enriched the experience for every school leader, and his support has strengthened the bond between our school and parish community.
I am also grateful to MACS, in particular Helena Goldsmith, Manager of Faith Leadership,
Catholic Mission and Identity, who thoughtfully organised and facilitated this faith experience for us in this Jubilee Year of Hope.
I feel incredibly blessed to have shared this pilgrimage with a group of dedicated leaders, within the Archdiocese of Melbourne. We shared some very significant faith experiences together which will profoundly impact the way we lead in our schools.
I look forward to talking about my pilgrimage journey with our staff, students and families over the coming weeks and hope to bring this faith experience into the lives of our community at St Joseph's. There will be special assembly next week where I will share some photos and stories with the children and present them with the medals and prayer cards that were blessed by Pope Leo XIV.
With blessings and warmest regards,
Annabelle Marinelli
Principal